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Introduction 

The first book of this series was ** A Little 
Maid of Province Town/^ which was the story of 
Anne Nelson, a little girl of Cape Cod. Her 
father had disappeared and some of his friends 
thought he had been drowned at sea. The fact 
was, however, that he had joined the American 
Army in Boston, and Anne, sailing there as a 
stowaway, was chosen to be the bearer of a very 
important message. 

In the story “ A Little Maid of Massachusetts 
Colony ” Anne runs away to Brewster, and is 
escorted by Indians to the home of her friends, 
the Freemans. Mr. Freeman takes her to Bos- 
ton to see her father. On the way they are 
arrested as spies, but Anne escapes, makes her 
way to Boston, and helps in the capture of a 
British schooner. 

** A Little Maid of Narragansett Bay ” is also 
a story of the Revolutionary war, and tells of 
Penelope Balfour and her brother Ted, who 
lived on a little farm in Rhode Island while 
3 


4 


INTRODUCTION 


their father was serving his country in the 
American Army. The courage and quickness 
of the little girl were of value to the American 
camp, which was near her home, and her broth- 
er's boat, Freedom," wins hearty praise for its 
share in carrying patriot messages. 

The present story deals with Millicent Austin, 
a little girl who lived at Charles Town near 
Bunker Hill in the days when General Gage 
and his British soldiers held the city of Boston. 


Contents 


L 

A Birthday Visit . 

• 



9 

II. 

Soldier Francis 

• 



23 

III. 

Millicent at Home 

• 



35 

IV. 

Molly and Milly . 

• 



47 

V. 

A Day of Trouble 

• 



59 

VI. 

Millicent’s Happy Day 

• 



68 

VII. 

A Great Adventure 

• 



81 

VIII. 

“ Jongleurs ” 

• 



92 

IX. 

The Last Day of School 

• 



105 

X. 

“ Blacky ”... 

• 



119 

XI. 

A Sled and a Bird 

• 



132 

XII. 

Blacky’s Master . 

• 



141 

XIII. 

The London Sled . 

4 



150 

XIV. 

Blacky Returns . 




158 

XV. 

The Journey to Dedham 




169 

XVI. 

Mary’s Surprise . 




186 

XVII. 

A Messenger 




198 

XVIII. 

The Battle of Bunker Hill 

• 


207 

XIX. 

Good News . 

• 

• 


225 


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V 


Illustrations 


General Gage Was Always Ready 
Listen 

She Stepped On the Little Platform 

The Star of the Entertainment 

Away They Went .... 

“ Play ‘ Yankee Doodle ' ! ” 


PAGE 

TO 

Frontispiece V 

. 51 

• 130 
. . 151 

. . 215 / 


A Little Maid of Bunker Hill 


7 



A Little Maid of Bunker Hill 


CHAPTER I 

A BIRTHDAY VISIT 

“ Milly, shall we go past Boston Common, 
where the English soldiers are camped ? asked 
Dicky Austin eagerly, as he climbed into the 
chaise beside his twin sister Prue. 

‘‘ Yes, if we ever get started,” answered Milli- 
cent. ** Mother ! ” she called, holding open the 
gate so that no time would be lost when her 
mother did appear. 

Coming,” responded Mrs. Austin, and in a 
moment she came hurrying down the path, a 
basket in each hand. 

Mr. Austin smiled as he took the baskets and 
stowed them under the wide seat of the chaise. 

Do you expect to be captured by the British, 
Prudence, that you are taking so much pro- 
vision ? ” he asked, as he handed her into the 
chaise, where the twins received her joyfully. 

9 


lo A LITTLE MAID 

“ I am not afraid of the British, even if the 
men of Charles Town and Cambridge do permit 
the soldiers of General Gage to carry off their 
cannon and powder,^’ replied his wife. For, on 
the previous week, this very thing had hap- 
pened ; and already the Americans were realiz- 
ing that the English general, who had landed 
his forces in Boston, meant to enforce the unjust 
demands of the English king ; and the patriots 
of Boston and Charles Town were resolved to 
protect their rights. 

“ DonT tell General Gage what you think of 
him if you happen to meet on your journey,*' 
responded Mr. Austin jestingly. 

“ * No danger shall affright, no difficulties 
shall intimidate us,' " said Mrs. Austin with a 
gay little laugh, quoting the words of one of 
America's defenders. 

“ Oh, mother, do let's start. We shan't get 
to Grandma Barclay's to-day," urged Millicent, 
who often wondered why her father and mother 
were always so ready to be amused, even about 
such a serious thing as regiments of English 
soldiers in Boston, who were there, she had 
heard her father say, to make slaves of the peo- 
ple of Massachusetts. Millicent was quite sure 


OF BUNKER HILL 


1 1 

that there was nothing to laugh at in that ; and 
she was rather inclined to feel that it was al- 
most wrong to be amused at anything connected 
with English soldiers. 

Start for home in good season, Prudence,^* 
said Mr. Austin, handing the reins to Milly^s 
mother ; and with gay good-byes from the 
children, and a word to the pretty sorrel horse, 
the little party were off for their day's visit. 

Millicent and little Prue sat beside their 
mother on the broad seat, while Dicky sat on a 
cricket in front of them. 

It was a pleasant day in early September in 
1774. There was the fragrance of ripening fruit 
from the orchards mingling with the salt air 
which swept across the marshes. Their road 
skirted the foot of Bunker Hill and led through 
the market-place to the ferry, which they must 
cross to reach* Boston. The Austin farm was 
just outside Charles Town ; and Millicent felt 
that to cross the ferry, drive through the fine 
streets of Boston, and out to Grandma Barclay's 
big house in Roxbury, was indeed a great adven- 
ture. Beside that it was Millicent's tenth birth- 
day, and this excursion was planned as her 
special treat. 


12 


A LITTLE MAID 


As Goldy trotted down the sloping incline 
to the broad, flat-bottomed ferry-boat, the chil- 
dren peered eagerly out toward the vessels lying 
at anchor in the harbor, and at the heights of 
Copps Hill on the Boston side. 

The ferryman greeted Mrs. Austin cordially, 
and had a pleasant word for the children. Milli- 
cent wondered to herself why everybody grew so 
serious when they spoke of “ British soldiers.^^ 
These are indeed troublous times. Mistress 
Austin,^^ she heard the ferryman say, “ and you 
Charles Town people are fortunate to have the 
river between you and Boston. Tis well the 
bridge, that people have been so anxious for, 
has not been built.^^ 

“ But the English soldiers seem civil to the 
people, do they not ? questioned her mother 
anxiously. 

Millicent did not hear the ferryman^s reply, 
for now they were landing and in a few minutes 

Goldy had turned into Hanover Street. 

That is where your father^s friend. Dr. 
Joseph Warren, lives, said Mrs. Austin, point- 
ing out a pleasant house to the children, ‘‘ and 
there is the doctor himself. I must indeed have 
a word with him.’^ 


OF BUNKER HILL 


13 

As the chaise came to a standstill Dr. War- 
ren was just coming down the steps of the 
house, and hastened forward to greet his friends. 
The children all looked at him with admiring 
eyes, for the young doctor's good looks and 
smiling face won their instant approval. 

Millicent was quite sure that the king of 
England himself could not wear finer clothes 
than Dr. Warren. His coat of fawn-colored 
cloth, the high stock and ruffled shirt, the white 
cloth waistcoat and breeches laced with silver, 
and the shoes with their shining buckles seemed 
to be exactly right for him. As he stood there 
hat in hand, talking to her mother, he made 
a picture that Millicent always remembered. 

He shook hands with each of the children as 
he bade them good-bye. All loyal Ameri- 
cans, I am sure," he said, and the children 
promptly replied, “ Yes, sir," although none of 
them really understood just what loyal Ameri- 
cans " might mean. They were confident, how- 
ever, that if Dr. Warren thought it a fine thing 
to be a loyal American " that they would do 
their best. 

** What is a ' loyal American,' mother ? " Milli- 
cent asked, as they drove through King Street 


A LITTLE MAID 


H 

and turned onto Common Street, which would 
take them past the Common and straight out to 
Roxbury. 

Mrs. Austin's pleasant gray eyes were very 
serious as she turned toward Millicent. 

I am indeed to blame that you should need 
to ask me such a question,” she said, and 'tis 
one your father could reply to far better. You 
have just spoken to a loyal American, a man 
who is giving the best of himself and all he has 
to make this a free and happy country.” 

But Millicent's gray eyes still rested question- 
ingly on her mother's face. “ Loyal Ameri- 
can ? ” she repeated questioningly ; and the seri- 
ous look faded from her mother's face, and she 
smiled. 

“ I'll have to try again, won't I ? Dicky, I 
want you and Prue to listen to what mother 
says. You heard Dr. Warren say that he hoped 
you were all loyal Americans. Now, you three 
children all love your father and mother.” 

The twins nodded solemnly ; Millicent reached 
across little Prue and patted her mother's arm. 

Well,” continued Mrs. Austin, to be a ‘ loyal 
American ' is to love America just as you do 
father and mother. To be willing to do your 


OF BUNKER HILL 


15 

best for her ; to give up anything to protect her. 
America is this beautiful country that reaches 
out her arms to hold us all safe, sure that none 
of her children will betray her love.^^ 

I guess I know,^* responded Millicent 
soberly. 

Dicky moved about uneasily on the cricket. 

“ Mayn^t I drive, mother ? he asked. 

YouUl have to ask Millicent,'^ responded Mrs. 
Austin. “ You know this is her birthday treat, 
and she is to say just what we are all to do until 
we start home.^' 

I may, mayn't I, sister ? " said the little boy. 

** Yes, Dicky," said Millicent, and Mrs. Austin 
handed the reins to Dicky. For Goldy " was 
sure to go along quite soberly. 

Now and then they passed teams coming in 
from the country laden with wood or produce 
for the people of Boston ; and once a party of 
British officers on horseback raced past them, 
the dust from their horses' feet covering the 
chaise and its occupants. But no misfortune 
befell them, and it was still in the early part of 
the forenoon when they turned into an elm- 
shaded driveway which led to Grandmother 
Barclay's big yellow house. 


A LITTLE MAID 


i6 

It was a much finer and larger house than 
their own home in Charles Town. There were 
terraces with stone steps in front of the house, 
and a broad porch with seats, and a big shining 
brass knocker on the front door. 

'' How quiet the house looks,^^ said Mrs. 
Austin, as Goldy stopped in front of the 
house. I wonder where Christopher is ? 

For Christopher was the colored man who 
had lived on the Barclay place for many years, 
and was always at hand to take care of Goldy.'^ 
Jump out, Millicent, and run up the steps 
and see if grandma is at home.^’ 

Millicent obeyed. Now she could lift the 
knocker and hear it clang, she thought joyfully. 
But before she reached the porch the door 
opened and there stood grandma, smiling a 
welcome ; at the same moment Black Chris 
came hurrying from the stable, and hastened to 
help Mrs. Austin and the children from the chaise. 

“ I have been watching for you from the 
upper windows, said Grandma Barclay, bending 
to kiss Millicent, but you came more quickly 
than I expected. 

Millicent kept fast hold of Grandma Barclay's 
hand as they walked across the wide hall to the 


OF BUNKER HILL 


17 

pleasant room where there were so many wonder- 
ful and interesting things. First of all there 
was the paper on the wall, where ladies and 
little girls, holding beautiful blue parasols, 
walked in processions toward castles over high 
bridges. 

Dicky and little Prue always began at the 
door and followed the pictured ladies straight 
around the room to the fireplace. But Millicent 
kept her clasp on Grandmother Barclay's hand 
until they reached the big sofa which stood 
across one corner of the room. However, before 
the sofa was reached, there was the sound of 
steps on the stairs, and suddenly Millicent felt 
a pair of arms around her neck and heard a 
delighted voice saying : Oh, Cousin Milly ! 
Cousin Milly ! Isn't this fine ? " and looked 
around into the laughing face of her cousin 
Mary Barclay. 

“ Oh, Mary I and you promised not to come 
in until I called you," said grandma. But her 
voice sounded as if she had really quite expected 
to see Mary. 

Mary Barclay was twelve years old, but she 
was not much taller than Millicent. Her eyes 
were brown, and her hair, like her cousin's, 


A LITTLE MAID 


i8 

brown and wavy. She had on a dress of blue 
checked linen, and wore white knit stockings 
and black slippers. Mary’s home was in 
Dedham, and the two cousins did not often 
meet. 

After Mary had kissed the twins and spoken 
to her Aunt Prudence, she and Millicent went 
out on the porch and down the terrace steps to 
the driveway. 

“ Grandmother is having a fine dinner to-day,^’ 
said Mary. There is turkey, and jelly, and a 
fine pie ; we must not go far, for she means to 
have it early.” 

Tis because it’s my birthday,” responded 
Millicent, and there’ll be a cake.” 

Mary stopped short, and took her arm from 
her cousin’s shoulder. ’Tis nothing of the 
sort,” she declared. The fine dinner is because 
I am here. My father will take me home to- 
morrow, and so ’twill be the last day.” 

But ’tis my birthday,” insisted Millicent, 
“ and I am named for grandmother. So I 

thought perhaps ’’and Millicent hesitated 

and looked at her cousin a little anxiously. 

Mary’s face brightened as she noted the 
younger girl’s hesitation. Oh, well, it’s all 


OF BUNKER HILL 


19 

right/^ she said pleasantly, only it^s just as 
well for you to know that it’s an extra dinner 
on my account. If it happens to be your birth- 
day, why, so much the better. Let’s go down to 
the stable. Did you know that both grandma’s 
horses and both the cows are going to be sent to 
Dedham ? ” 

“ What for?” asked Millicent. 

To keep the British from taking them,” 
Mary answered briskly. Come on, let’s go in 
the stable,” and Millicent followed her cousin, 
and in a moment the little girls were looking 
up into the big soft eyes of the two brown 
horses. 

Can you ride horseback ? ” asked Mary, 
reaching up to rub the nose of the horse nearest 
her. 

I have ridden ^ Goldy ’ ; but father always 
walks beside me,” replied Millicent. 

‘'PhfFI That’s not riding,” said Mary. I 
can ride. I could teach you if you wanted to 
learn. We might just practice now,” she con- 
tinued eagerly. Chris isn’t here, and there’s 
nobody to stop us.” 

Millicent looked at her cousin a little doubt- 
fully. She was quite sure that Grandmother 


20 


A LITTLE MAID 


Barclay would not want them to try to ride the 
big brown horses ; but she hardly dared to inter- 
fere with Mary, who seemed confident that she 
could do exactly as she wished. 

Mary reached up and unfastened the door of 
the stall, and held it open, and the big horse 
walked slowly out. Take hold of his mane, 
Millicent, and hang on,’^ commanded Mary, run- 
ning to the next stall and opening the door. 

Millicent ran toward the horse to obey her 
cousin's command, but the horse did not wait 
for her. Shaking his head, with a little snort 
of delight to be free, he sped out of the open 
door, closely followed by his mate, which Mary 
had been unable to stop. 

“ Oh, they're gone I They're racing right 
across the meadow I " called Millicent. 

It's all your fault. Why didn't you stop 
them ? " demanded Mary, turning a fiushed and 
frightened face toward her cousin. Quick, run 
after them. Perhaps we can get them back be- 
fore anybody knows ; ” and away ran Mary, 
closely followed by Millicent. 

The horses had stopped to nibble the grass be- 
side a little brook that flowed through the 
meadow. 


OF BUNKER HILL 


21 


** Don’t run now, Millicent,” whispered Mary, 
stopping suddenly and speaking in a whisper. 

We’ll creep close up to them, and get hold of 
their manes and lead them home.” 

This sounded very well indeed ; but to lead 
one of those big horses by its mane seemed to 
Millicent fully as dangerous as to expect to lead 
home a roaring lion. But she did not want Mary 
to think that she was a coward. So she nodded 
her head, and crept quietly toward the feeding 
horses. But the horses did not intend to be 
caught, and as the little girls came near they 
were off, leaping the brook and going down the 
field at a swift canter. 

Through the shallow stream raced Mary, quite 
regardless of white stockings and shining shoes, 
and after her panted Millicent. The clever 
horses allowed the little girls to come very near 
a number of times, and then off they went, and 
finally disappeared in the edge of the woods on 
the further side of the meadows. 

Now we can get them,” declared Mary trium- 
phantly, and we’ll ride home, for I’m tired 
to death.” 

” Let’s rest,” suggested Millicent, who was 
leaning against a big chestnut tree. 


22 


A LITTLE MAID 


Well, I guess we can,^^ agreed Mary, “ but 
not very long, or we’ll be late for grandma’s 
good dinner.” 

They sat down, and for the first time realized 
that their feet were wet and muddy, their stock- 
ings discolored and Millicent’s dress torn. 

Millicent was ready to cry. She wished that 
Mary Barclay had stayed in Dedham. If it was 
not for Mary, she thought bitterly, she would be 
sitting on the sofa beside Grandmother Barclay 
waiting for the fine birthday dinner. For it is 
my birthday dinner. And there’ll be a cake,” 
she said aloud, and looked up ready to defend 
this assertion if Cousin Mary contradicted it. 

But Mary was not there. She had vanished 
as completely as if she had been a dream. Mil- 
licent sprang up and looked behind the big 
chestnut tree. But Mary was not there. Then 
she called ** Mary ! Mary ! ” but there was no re- 
sponse. 


CHAPTER II 


SOLDIER FRANCIS 

For a long time Millicent ran about among 
the big trees calling her cousin’s name, but no 
answer came. She saw no trace of Mary, nor 
any sign of the brown horses. And at last, tired 
and unhappy, she resolved to go back to the 
house. 

** 1 know I’m late for dinner, and I’m sure 
Mary went straight home without me,” Milli- 
cent said aloud. I didn’t think she could be 
so mean. It’s the horridest birthday I ever 
had,” and Millicent choked back a sob. 

There was no path among the big trees, but 
there was very little underbrush, and in a short 
time Millicent came out into an open space. At 
first she thought it was the meadow below 
Grandma Barclay’s house, but as she looked she 
realized that it was a rough pasture that she had 
never before seen. 

There’s the road ! ” she exclaimed, as she 
23 


A LITTLE MAID 


24 

realized that a road made its way across the 
pasture, very near to where she was standing. 
“ Oh I she again exclaimed, but this time in a 
low frightened voice ; for coming slowly along 
the road were two English soldiers. They were 
on horseback, and in a moment Millicent real- 
ized that they had already seen her, and that it 
was too late to run back to the woods and hide. 
She quite forgot that she was far from home, 
that she had missed her birthday dinner, and 
that Mary had deserted her, in the surprise of 
seeing the soldiers. 

As they came nearer they stopped their horses, 
and looked at her sharply. Then one of the 
men spoke to her. His voice had a friendly 
sound, and as Millicent looked up into his smil- 
ing face she no longer remembered her fears 
and smiled back at him. 

I’m lost. My Cousin Mary ran off, and I 
can’t find her,” she explained, feeling someway 
quite sure that this big man with the blue eyes 
would understand just how it happened. 

“ Well I Well I ” he responded. Now it is 
fortunate that we happened along, for we can 
take you home. That is, if you don’t live too 
far away,” and he was on the ground beside her 


OF BUNKER HILL 


25 

so quickly that it seemed to Millicent as if he 
had fallen straight off the horse. 

I’m visiting my Grandmother Barclay,” Mil- 
licent explained. “ That’s why I’m lost. If I 
lived here I’d probably know where I was.” 

** Of course you would ! ” the blue-eyed man 
agreed promptly. Now you will have to ride 
home sitting on my saddle,” and he swung her 
up and then mounted behind her. “ You need 
not be afraid, little miss,” he said kindly, and 
then turning to the other soldier, who had not 
yet spoken, he said : “ Do you know where the 
Barclays live, Johnson ? ” 

“ The rebel Barclay is a Dedham man, but I 
believe his mother lives somewhere about here,” 
answered Johnson, who seemed to Millicent 
rather surly, and not well pleased at his friend’s 
offer to take Millicent home. 

Uncle Barclay is not a rebel ! ” Millicent 
assured the English soldiers ; he is a loyal 
American, like Dr. Joseph Warren.” 

’Tis the same thing,” responded Johnson 
gruffly. Mayhap your home is in Dedham, 
since you are a visitor at your grandmother’s?” 
he continued. 

No, sir. My home is in Charles Town. I 


26 


A LITTLE MAID 


am Millicent Austin/' she replied, and all at 
once remembered her muddy boots, torn dress 
and untidy hair. 

“ We’ll have to turn back to go to the Bar- 
clay place,” continued Johnson ; ’tis a good 
two miles from here, and the afternoon grows 
late. Had I not best keep on and tell the cap- 
tain of your errand, Francis? For I doubt 
not you think you must see the child safely 
home.” 

Millicent could hardly believe it possible that 
it was late afternoon. She saw the soldier 
called Johnson ride on, and Francis turned 
his horse and told her that in a short time she 
would see her grandmother ; while Millicent 
told him all about the excellent birthday dinner 
that she had missed. But she did not tell him 
about the two brown horses, which were now 
wandering in the open fields. It was not that 
Millicent remembered that Mary had told her 
the horses were to be sent to Dedham to save 
them from the British. If she had remembered 
the horses at all, she quite likely would have 
asked this kind man to try and find them and 
bring them back to her Grandmother Barclay’s 
stable. But Millicent’s thoughts were fixed 


OF BUNKER HILL 


^7 

upon her own troubles, and her Cousin Mary's 
desertion. 

By the time they reached the driveway lead- 
ing to the Barclay house, however, Millicent be- 
came less unhappy. The big soldier hummed a 
gay little song now and then, and listened with 
great interest to what Millicent told him about 
Dicky and little Prue, about her own playhouse, 
a wonderful playhouse, the big soldier declared, 
since it was a truly house " that her father had 
built for her among the wide-spreading branches 
of the big willow tree. 

As they rode up toward the house Black 
Chris came running toward them. As he saw 
that it was an English soldier he stopped in the 
center of the roadway and shook his fist. 

“ You stop right there I " he called angrily, 
and then seeing Millicent, his angry expression 
softened. “ Wher’d you find missy ? " he de- 
manded. 

Get out of the path," laughed the soldier ; 
and leaving Chris to follow them he cantered 
on, stopping and swinging Millicent carefully 
down on the stone steps. Good luck to you, 
little rebel. I know Charles Town, with its 
three hills ; and maybe I'll be coming there 


28 


A LITTLE MAID 


some day/^ he said, and quickly turning his 
horse, was speeding down the driveway, past 
the astonished Christopher, before Millicent had 
time to thank him for bringing her safely 
home. 

“ Millicent's come I MillicenVs come I she 
heard Mary calling, and turned toward the 
house to see her cousin on the steps just above 
her. Millicent, why didn’t you come home 
the way I did ? ” demanded Mary. “ Grand- 
mother Barclay is well vexed at you. And 
mind now, don’t you tell her that we let the 
horses out of the stable. She thinks the English 
have stolen them. If you tell her we let them 
out she will never, n-e-v-e-r let us come here 
again.” 

As Mary talked she had taken hold of 
Millicent’s arm and was helping her up the 
steps. Here comes your mother now ; don’t 
you dare tell,” warned Mary. 

All at once Millicent began to feel very 
tired, and as her mother came toward her she 
began to cry. 

There, there, child ; do not cry. You can tell 
mother all about it on the way home. Come 
in now and have your dinner. I have waited 


OF BUNKER HILL 


29 

to have mine with you ; and your birthday 
cake is waiting/’ said Mrs. Austin, with her 
arm close about the little girl, as she led her 
into the house and up the broad stairs into 
the pleasant chamber that Millicent knew had 
been “ mother’s room ” before Prudence Barclay 
became Mrs. Richard Austin. 

Here are clean stockings for you ; some 
grandma knit on purpose for your birthday 
gift,” continued Mrs. Austin, and in a little 
while Millicent was quite tidy again, her hair 
neatly brushed and braided, and the ugly tear 
in her dress “ caught together,” to be carefully 
darned at some future time. 

You should have come home with Mary, 
Millicent,” Grandma Barclay said when Milli- 
cent came down to the dining-room, “ but I will 
not scold you ; and you must come again as 
soon as may be ; for I have hardly seen you 
to-day, and your mother must start for home as 
soon as you have eaten your dinner and cut the 
cake.” 

Dicky and Prue, neat and smiling as when 
they left home that morning, and Mary Barclay, 
looking very demure and rather anxious, came 
into the dining-room to see Millicent cut the 


A LITTLE MAID 


30 

birthday cake ; and then Mrs. Austin hurried 
them out to the waiting chaise. 

'' We shall be fortunate to get to the ferry 
before sunset/' said Mrs. Austin, as she bade her 
mother and Mary good-bye. 

As Millicent lifted her face for Grandma 
Barclay's good-bye kiss she whispered : I'm so 

sorry, grandma ; I didn’t mean " 

There, there, dear child, do not trouble your 
little head. I’m only too glad the thieving 
Englishman brought you safely home. No 
doubt 'twas he who stole the horses," said 
grandma. 

‘'No, no I He didn’t " declared Milli- 

cent, and in another moment would have told 
the whole story ; but her mother drew her 
toward the chaise where Dicky and little Prue 
were waiting, and, almost before Millicent 
realized that they were really going, “ Goldy " 
was trotting briskly down the driveway. 

“ The soldier didn’t steal the horses, mother! " 
she repeated earnestly. “ His name is Francis, 
and he is coming to Charles Town." 

“ Is he, indeed 1 ’’ responded Mrs. Austin, in 
so sharp a tone that the children all looked at 
their mother wonderingly, for Mrs. Austin 


OF BUNKER HILL 


31 

seldom spoke sharply. '' Well, Charles Town 
men will know how to welcome British soldiers 
when they come,’’ she continued. 

Oh, dear,” whimpered Millicent. “ This has 
been a horrid day.” 

So it has, dear child ; lean your head back 
and rest. You are tired out,” responded Mrs. 
Austin in a softer tone. 

Millicent obeyed, and in a few moments she 
was fast asleep. She did not waken until they 
reached the Boston ferry. The sun was setting, 
and the Charles River shone and glistened, 
reflecting the glowing sky. Millicent listened 
sleepily to her mother’s voice. Mrs. Austin was 
telling the ferryman of the day’s adventures. 

’Tis a loss indeed,” Millicent heard her 
mother say, and we have no doubt that the 
man who stole the horses was the same soldier 
who overtook my little girl on the road and 
brought her home.” 

Millicent sat up quickly, her eyes wide open. 

No, mother I No I ” she said. The soldier 

was kind. The horses ” Then she stopped 

suddenly, remembering Mary’s warning that if 
Grandma Barclay should know the true reason 
of the disappearance of the horses neither Milli- 


A LITTLE MAID 


32 

cent nor Mary would ever again be visitors at 
Barclay house ; and Millicent acknowledged to 
herself that there could be no greater misfortune 
than to give up the delight of such visits. 

The ferryman smiled and nodded at Milli- 
cent’s defense of her soldier friend. 

The English soldiers are not bad fellows ; 
they do not war on children/^ he said pleasantly ; 

but Tis not fair of King George to fill Boston 
with soldiers and close our harbor to make us 
yield to unjust taxes.^^ 

It was dusk when ** Goldy trotted into the 
home yard, and Mr. Austin came to help them 
from the chaise. 

Millicent was so tired and sleepy that her 
father almost carried her to the house, and 
Dicky and Prue nodded over their bowls of 
bread and milk. 

“ It has been a day of worry and trouble,” 
Millicent heard her mother say. '' Mary and 
Millicent went off for a walk, and Millicent 
would not come back when her cousin wanted 
to. So Mary came home without her ; and 
Millicent was brought home by an English sol- 
dier. We think Tis the very one who stole the 
brown horses.” 


OF BUNKER HILL 


33 

And again Millicent insisted, He didn't I 
He didn't I " 

But no attention was paid to her words. Mr. 
and Mrs. Austin thought it quite natural that 
Millicent should defend him because of his 
friendly act in giving her a ride home. 

The little girl went up-stairs to her little room. 
From its window she could see the tall, slim 
steeple of the meeting-house in the market- 
place, and could look down among the branches 
of the big willow tree. 

“ 'Tis all Mary Barclay's fault," she thought 
as she slipped into her bed ; and to think she 
should say that I would not come home, after 
she had run off and left me I And they are 
telling everybody that the soldier stole grand- 
ma's horses. And that's Mary's fault too." 

But she was too tired to stay long awake ; and 
she was a little comforted by the thought that 
the greater part of her birthday cake had been 
brought home and was safe in her mother's stone 
cake-jar in the cellar-way cupboard. But Milli- 
cent's last waking thought was that in some way 
she must let her Grandmother Barclay know 
that Soldier Francis had not stolen the horses. 

Even if she never wants me to come there 


A LITTLE MAID 


34 

again I must tell her/^ resolved Millicent. And 
then she thought of Dr. Warren, and remem- 
bered what her mother had said about loyal 
Americans. I wonder if a little girl couldn’t 
be one,” she thought sleepily. 


CHAPTER III 


MILLICENT AT HOME 

When Millicent awoke on the morning after 
the birthday visit her first thought was that she 
had dreamed about Soldier Francis, and that it 
was not true that she and Mary Barclay had 
really let loose Grandmother Barclay’s brown 
horses. Then, suddenly, Millicent sat up 
straight in the little bed and exclaimed aloud : 

It is ; it is true — all of it. Oh, dear ! ” and 
was quite ready to cry, when her mother’s cheer- 
ful voice sounded from the stairway : What 
about the girl who was going to make crab- 
apple jelly to-day ? ” And at these words Milli- 
cent jumped out of bed, almost forgetting the 
troubles of her birthday ; for Mrs. Austin had 
promised Millicent that she should make crab- 
apple jelly, and she was quite sure that it would 
be a very delightful day. 

I’ll hurry, mother ! ” she called back, as she 
lifted the tall pitcher filled with fresh water, and 
turned it into the shallow bowl. As she washed 
35 


A LITTLE MAID 


36 

her face, and brushed and braided her hair, 
Millicent made a firm resolve : she would some- 
way let Grandmother Barclay and everybody 
else know that the English soldier had not stolen 
the Barclay horses. Even if grandmother 
never speaks to me again I must tell,^^ she 
thought, as she ran down the stairs. 

Eight o’clock ! ” said Mrs. Austin, pretend- 
ing to be very much surprised, and the crab- 
apples dropping into the grass every minute. I 
have kept your porridge warm in the brick 
oven, and your milk is on the table,” she con- 
tinued. 

“ Dicky and Prue promised to pick up the 
apples,” said Millicent, going toward the brick 
oven at the side of the big fireplace. 

** Dicky and Prue are fast asleep,” responded 
Mrs. Austin. I think you were all very tired 
last night after so much excitement.” 

“ Mother,” and Millicent turned and looked 
up earnestly into her mother’s face, I don’t 
like my Cousin Mary I I don’t like her a single 
bit. She ran off and hid away from me ; and 
when I was looking for her she ran for home 
as fast as she could go. And I was lost. And 
when I found the road there were two soldiers ; 


OF BUNKER HILL 


37 

and Soldier Francis said he would bring me 
home, and he did. And the other soldier went 
on his way. They didn’t steal grandmother’s 
horses. They didn’t I ” 

Mrs. Austin had listened quietly, and when 
Millicent finished she rested her hand gently on 
her little daughter’s shoulder. “ I am not sur- 
prised at what you tell me about your Cousin 
Mary. She is a mischief-loving child, and 
thinks not of the rights and well-being of others. 
But, Millicent, see to it that you speak no harm 
of Mary to your Grandmother Barclay, or to 
any person. It is not wise to tell any unkind 
thing of your own kindred.” 

But, mother, mayn’t I tell grandma ” 

but Millicent could not finish, for her mother 
interrupted : 

** No, dear child. Your being late to dinner 
was unfortunate, but your grandmother will not 
blame you overmuch ; but should you go to her 
with tales of Mary’s mischief ’twould begin all 
sorts of trouble, and do no good. I should not 

like you to be a tale-bearer ” 

But Soldier Francis did not steal the horses,” 
persisted the little girl. 

Then be very sure that it will be found out 


A LITTLE MAID 


38 

that he is an honest, as well as a kind man,^^ 
said Mrs. Austin, and at these words Millicent's 
face brightened. If her mother was sure that 
the soldier's honesty would be discovered, then, 
thought Millicent, all was well. Cousin Mary’s 
mischief could take care of itself ; and perhaps 
the brown horses were safe in the stable by this 
time. 

Mother, you are the best mother in all this 
world I ” she declared happily. “ You do say 
just the best things.” 

Well, well, dear child, that’s what all moth- 
ers do,” responded Mrs. Austin smilingly ; ** now 
eat your porridge ; and then you had better 
gather the apples without waiting for the 
twins.” 

“ Yes, indeed I will,” agreed Millicent. ** I 
wish to-day was my birthday,” she added, as 
she carried the steaming dish of porridge to the 
round table that stood between the two win- 
dows. 

We’ll have your birthday * last over ’ to-day, 
as we sometimes do with a plum pudding,” said 
Mrs. Austin. “ Sometimes we enjoy a pleasure 
that we haven’t expected more than one that is 
planned for.” 


OF BUNKER HILL 


39 

Millicent thought her porridge had never 
tasted so good, and she was just finishing when 
she heard little Prue calling, Millicent,'" and 
hurried away to help her little brother and 
sister dress. 

It's my birthday to-day," she told them, 
** and we'll have a better time than we did yes- 
terday." 

Oh — we had a lovely time yesterday," 
declared Dicky. ** We played up attic, and 
grandma told us a fine story about a white goose 
that could talk ; of course it was a fairy goose," 
he explained, as Millicent fastened the last but- 
ton of his blouse. 

There I Prue is much smarter than you, 
Dicky," she said ; she has fastened all her own 
buttons, beside brushing her hair." 

** Well, she hasn't talked," responded Dicky 
in a tone of great satisfaction. Prue hasn't 
said a single word ; but I've told you a lot of 
things, haven't I, Millicent? " 

“ Yes, Dicky," laughed Millicent. Now 
come along to your porridge ; and then you may 
help sister pick up the crab-apples and make 
jelly." And the three happy children scam- 
pered down the stairs. 


A LITTLE MAID 


40 

After breakfast the twins started across the 
yard to gather up the tiny, hard red crab-apples. 
They each carried a basket, and in a very little 
while were back with the baskets filled. 

'^MaynTwe go and find father? We don’t 
want to help make jelly,” Dicky announced, 
as he put down his basket. 

Mr. Austin was a boat-builder, and his yard 
was only a short distance from the house. This 
shipyard was a fascinating place for all the chil- 
dren, with its piles of sweet-smelling lumber, its 
litter of chips, and usually a partly finished boat 
on which their father was busily at work. 
Dicky had already announced that as soon as he 
was a man he should build himself a big ship, 
and go sailing off in it ; me and Prue,” he 
would add, and Prue would solemnly nod her 
assent, as she did to everything that Dicky sug- 
gested. 

Go straight to the yard, children,” cautioned 
Mrs. Austin, as she stepped to the doorway with 
them ; and if, for any reason, father isn’t there, 
don’t go hunting for him, but play about with 
the chips, and don’t meddle with any of the 
tools.” 

Dicky promised, and Prue nodded smilingly 


OF BUNKER HILL 


41 

and away they ran, while Mrs. Austin returned 
to the kitchen where Millicent was busy cutting 
the little red apples into quarters, and neatly re- 
moving core and seeds. 

The kitchen door stood wide open ; and Milli- 
cent, when she looked up from her pleasant 
work, saw her little brother and sister hand in 
hand running along the well-trodden path which 
ran from the house down the slope to the river 
bank where their father built the boats. She 
looked up at her mother and said : 

This place isn’t so big or fine as Grand- 
mother Barclay’s, but there’s one thing splendid 
about it, and that is that Cousin Mary Barclay 
won’t come here.” 

Millicent I Mary is your own cousin. 
Don’t speak of her again unless you can speak 
kindly ; and as for Mary not coming here, she is 
quite likely to visit us.” 

Well, she won’t come in time to spoil my 
jelly. Have I cut up enough apples?” and 
Millicent pointed toward the tin pan heaped 
with the sliced fruit. 

I think so, for I cannot spare a great deal 
of sugar for jellies this season. With Boston 
Harbor closed to all our American vessels by 


A LITTLE MAID 


42 

order of King George, I fear we may want for 
many things beside sugar,’’ said Mrs. Austin. 

Now turn your apples into the copper kettle 
and cover them with water and swing them 
over the fire,” for the Austins used the fireplace 
and brick oven, as did many people in those 
days, to prepare their food. 

Millicent watched the kettle carefully, now 
and then stirring the fruit with a long-handled 
spoon. After it had boiled up and the apples 
had become perfectly soft, Mrs. Austin lifted 
the kettle from the long iron crane and carried 
it to the shed. 

Are the jelly strainers all ready ? ” she 
asked. 

Yes, indeed,” replied the delighted Milli- 
cent, holding up the two bags of cotton cloth. 

Mrs. Austin set the kettle down on a rough 
table, and stood by while Millicent set a good- 
sized empty kettle on the table. Directly over 
this kettle were two stout hooks, fastened in the 
wall. Mrs. Austin now held open one of the 
bags while Millicent ladled the steaming fruit 
into it. When it was nearly full she twisted a 
stout cord around the top, fastened ib and then 
suspended the bag from the hook over the 


OF BUNKER HILL 


43 

empty kettle, so that the juice of the fruit would 
drip into the kettle. Then the second bag was 
filled and hung up. 

Millicent stood watching the slow drip, drip. 
I do wish it would come through quicker, 
mother. CanT I squeeze the bag? ” she said. 

No, indeed 1 Mrs. Austin answered. ‘‘ If 
you should do that your jelly would cloud. 
No, you must just let it drip to-day. By to- 
morrow morning the juice will be ready to 
measure, with your sugar, and boil down. I 
hope you will have a good sunny day.^* 

** Yes, indeed, replied Millicent, smoothing 
down her apron, and feeling very grown up in- 
deed. She was quite sure that there were very 
few ten-year-old girls in Charles Town who 
could make crab-apple jelly ; but it was very 
hard to have to wait a whole day before she 
could watch the pink juice boil away to a beau- 
tiful amber-colored, delightful tasting jelly. 

“ As this is your birthday you may do ex- 
actly as you wish, Millicent. Only, do not 
' wish ’ to go to the market-place or the ferry,^^ 
said Mrs. Austin, “ for I do not want any of you 
children to go from home to-day.’^ 

** 1^11 go find the twins,’^ said Millicent. ** I 


A LITTLE MAID 


44 

want Dicky to tell me the story about the fairy 
goose/^ and taking her sunbonnet from its hook 
behind the kitchen door, Millicent ran down 
the path, stopping before she reached the further 
side of the yard to look back and wave her hand 
to her mother who stood in the doorway look- 
ing after her. 

As Millicent ran down the slope she could 
see the marshes of the Charles River shining in 
the September sun. She remembered how often 
she had heard her father say that the marsh- 
land was swampy and dangerous, and that she 
must never venture upon it. At high tide the 
waters of Boston Harbor crept up over the grass. 

“ I hope the twins remember what father tells 
us about the marshes,^’ thought Millicent, as 
she came near to the lumber piles. She was 
walking more slowly now, quite sure that just 
beyond the lumber she would find Dicky and 
Prue, and wondering if her little brother would 
remember all of the wonderful story about the 
talking goose. She was thinking, too, that next 
week school would begin, and wondering if the 
new teacher would insist on the pupils learning 
a list of all the English kings, and their won- 
derful deeds, when suddenly the sound of 


OF BUNKER HILL 


45 

strange voices came to her ears, and for a mo- 
ment she stood quite still. Then she laughed 
aloud, and ran around the pile of lumber, to 
find Dicky with both hands held to his mouth 
trumpet-fashion. 

‘‘ Oh, Dicky I I thought for a minute that 
you were two strange men talking,’^ she ex- 
claimed. 

I am,” responded the small boy soberly. 

I was the British general in Boston, when you 
heard me, telling that soldier to bring back my 
grandma^s horses.” 

But he didn't take them, Dicky,” said Mil- 
licent. 

** Oh, yes, he did,” insisted the small boy ; 
and little Prue nodded her yellow head and 
repeated, “ Oh, yes, he did,” with great firmness. 

“ Tell me the story about the goose, Dicky,” 
said Millicent with a little sigh, sitting down 
beside Prue. 

“ Well, there was a white goose, and it talked,” 
Dicky began slowly. It always knew when it 
was going to storm, and then it would hurry to 
the mistress of the house and tell her not to let 
her little children go out in the rain. And it 
knew when it was going to freeze, and it would 


A LITTLE MAID 


46 

tell the master to cover up his garden. And it 
knew when enemies were coming, and it would 
tell that.'’ Dicky stopped and looked at Milli- 
cent anxiously. And then what do you s'pose 
happened ? ” he asked. 

Millicent shook her head. 

Well, the goose lost its voice," he declared 
solemnly. 

“ What became of it ? " asked Millicent. 

Oh, then it was just like all the other geese," 
said Dicky, and all it could do was cackle. 
Let's play we were the soldiers who stole grand- 
ma's horses," he concluded suddenly. 

Dicky Austin I I tell you the soldiers didn't 
steal the horses," responded Millicent, wondering 
to herself why her small brother insisted in talk- 
ing about Soldier Francis. 

I don't care ! " said Dicky amiably ; but 
let's play something. Let's play I was the 
talking goose, and you be the mistress ; and 
Prue can be just a cackly goose." 

They had just begun this play when Millicent 
heard some one calling her name, and running 
around the pile of lumber saw her Cousin Mary 
Barclay coming across the field. 


CHAPTER IV 


MOLLY AND MILLY 

“ Oh, Mary Barclay I You told me that you 
were going back to Dedham to-day, exclaimed 
Millicent, standing still and looking at her 
cousin almost accusingly. 

“ You see I didn’t go. I came to see you in- 
stead. And I’m to stay a week. Aren’t you 
glad ? ” and Mary laughed a little mischievously, 
for she was quite sure that Millicent blamed her 
for all the troubles of the previous day. “ Hullo, 
twinnies,” she continued, turning toward Dicky 
and Prue, who, hand in hand, stood gazing at 
her with rather a serious look on their usually 
smiling faces. Chris brought me. He had to 
carry a letter to General Gage about grand- 
mother’s horses, and I teased to be brought to 
Charles Town ; ” and now Mary did not seem 
to know what to say, for she looked down and 
began to kick at the chips. 

47 


A LITTLE MAID 


48 

The twins left the older girls and walked off 
across the field toward the house. 

I wish I hadnT come I declared Mary, look- 
ing up with fiushed face and troubled eyes. 
“ How was I to know that you didn’t know 
enough to go straight back to Grandma Bar- 
clay’s ? If you missed your dinner ’twas your 
own fault,” and putting her arm across her face 
Mary began to cry bitterly, for she had really ex- 
pected that her cousins would welcome her 
warmly, and rejoice that she was to stay a week ; 
and now she wished herself back at Grandma 
Barclay’s, or, better still, journeying happily 
with her father toward her Dedham home. 

Don’t cry, Mary. Don’t I ” pleaded Milli- 
cent, remembering all that her mother had said 
to her about treating her cousin with kindness, 
and becoming all at once very sorry for Mary. 
“ I was surprised, Mary, to see you. I do want 
you to stay, truly I do.” And Millicent’s arm 
was about her cousin’s shoulder, and the two 
dark heads were very close together. 

But you blame me about yesterday, I know 
you do. You think I spoiled your birthday,” 
sobbed Mary. 

Don’t talk about it now, Mary. Mother said 


OF BUNKER HILL 


49 

my birthday could last over to-day, and it’s fine 
to have you for company. And we’ll have my 
birthday cake. You know I brought most of it 
home. Oh, Mary ! I’ll tell you what we’ll do ! 
We’ll have the cake up in my playhouse in the 
willow tree.” 

I’ve never seen your playhouse,” said Mary, 
looking at her cousin, and wiping her eyes. 

Let us go see it now.” 

Yes, we will,” Millicent agreed happily, and 
the cousins went across the field as good friends 
as if nothing had happened to disturb their 
cousinly affection. Millicent was anxious now 
to have Mary enjoy her visit. She tried to for- 
get all that had happened at Grandma Barclay’s, 
and only to remember that Mary was her guest. 

“ I began to make jelly this morning,” she 
said proudly, as they walked along ; “ the apples 
are all cooked and the juice will be ready to boil 
down to-morrov/ morning.” 

May I help ? ” Mary asked eagerly. '' Oh, 
do let me, Millicent. I should so like to tell my 
mother that I can make jelly.” 

“ Yes, we’ll make it together,” Millicent agreed 
amiably. “ I wanted to squeeze the jelly-bags so 
the juice would drip more quickly, and then we 


A LITTLE MAID 


50 

could have made it this afternoon ; but mother 
said 'twould cloud the jelly, so we must wait 
until to-morrow.’^ 

And what if the jelly did cloud ? ^Twould 
taste just as well ; and I think ’twould be rather 
a pretty change, responded Mary, her dark 
eyes sparkling with the idea of inventing a new 

jelly- 

Perhaps it would be well enough if ^twas 
clouded, but ^twill be fine to have it clear like 
mother’s,^' said Millicent. “ See, here are the 
steps to go up to my playhouse,^’ and she 
stopped close by the big trunk of the willow 
tree. 

Mary looked at the tree and then at Millicent. 

Steps? she said. “ I don’t see any steps.” 

Look again,” laughed Millicent, “or just 
follow me,” and stepping close to the tree she 
reached up and took hold of one of the lower 
branches and then apparently was walking up 
the trunk of the tree to the firm little platform 
fastened between the big branches. 

“ Oh, I see. Isn’t that a splendid idea? ” said 
Mary quickly following her cousin. For the 
steps were simply little cleats cut from a stout 
bough of another willow tree, and nailed close 



SHE STEPPED ON THE LITTLE PLATFORM 




OF BUNKER HILL 


51 

to the trunk. By holding close to the drooping 
branches one could go up easily, especially as 
the tree bent toward the gate, so it was not a 
straight upward line. 

Millicent Austin ! I think this is lovely,*' 
Mary exclaimed as she stepped on the little 
platform. The rail about it was of the twisted 
branches of willow ; and, while the playhouse 
could not be seen by any one passing along the 
road, the little girls could peer down through 
the branches on any passer-by. 

There was a small table, and three stools, 
which Mr. Austin had made ; and on one of the 
stools sat a very large rag doll wearing a sun- 
bonnet, and a little plaid shawl pinned over her 
dress of checked blue linen. 

See Caroline Rosalind ! ” exclaimed Millicent 
laughingly, picking up the big doll and holding 
it out toward her cousin, expecting that Mary 
would have a word of praise for this cherished 
possession. 

“ Oh I Do you play with dolls? ** said Mary, 
endeavoring to look quite surprised. It's 
really a long time since I thought about dolls. 
But of course Fm lots older than you are.” 

Millicent’s smile faded ; an angry rejoinder 


A LITTLE MAID 


52 

was on her lips, but she remembered that Mary 
was her guest just in time to keep from speak- 
ing. But she held Caroline Rosalind very 
close, as if to protect her doll from any unkind 
criticism. 

The little silence that fell between the two cous- 
ins was broken by Mary, who had stood looking 
upward among the thick branches of the tree. 

“ Milly, why don't you have another play- 
house higher up, where those two big limbs 
branch out? 'Twould be splendid ; just like 
an up-stairs room to this." 

So it would," agreed Millicent, looking up 
in the direction Mary pointed. “ But father is 
too busy now to make another playhouse. He 
belongs to the Charles Town regiment, and 
when he is at home he has too much to do. 
Besides that, he says he may have to go away 
any day if the British soldiers do not behave." 

“We could make it ourselves," said Mary. 
“ All we'd need to do would be to put some 
boards across from one branch to the other. 
Of course we wouldn't make it so fine as this, 
with a railing, and all that. Oh, dear ! There’s 
your mother calling us now. Shall we have to 
go? If we keep still she won’t know where we 


OF BUNKER HILL 


53 

are/^ and Mary^s voice dropped to a whisper and 
she took hold of Millicent’s arm as if to prevent 
her from answering her mother’s call. 

But Miliicent called back, “ We’re in the tree, 
mother,” in her loudest tone, and then, Do 
you want us? ” 

Yes. Come right up to the house,” re- 
sponded Mrs. Austin ; and, putting Caroline 
Rosalind back on the stool, Miliicent began to 
scramble down the tree to the ground. Mary 
followed, and both the girls ran toward the 
house. 

Mrs. Austin stood in the doorway. She wore 
her sunbonnet and a neat little shawl over her 
shoulders, and her dress was of blue-checked 
linen. In one hand she carried a basket. 

Aunt Prudence looks just like your rag 
doll I ” exclaimed Mary laughingly. “ Sun- 
bonnet, shawl and checked dress.” 

Mrs. Austin smiled, but her face flushed a 
little. She thought to herself that her little 
niece was not being very well brought up. 

I am going to the square, and Dicky and 
Prue are going with me. I want you girls to 
keep house. Your father has gone to Cam- 
bridge, Miliicent, and will not be home until 


A LITTLE MAID 


54 

evening ; so we will have our dinner when I get 
back/' and with a few words of caution to the 
girls Mrs. Austin, with Dicky and Prue trot- 
ting along beside her, started down the path to 
the road. 

“ Milly, why don't you call me * Molly ' ? 
All the Dedham girls do," said Mary, as they 
stood in the doorway. 

All right," responded Millicent, “ but 
‘ Molly ' and ‘ Milly ' sounds rather silly." 

The rhyming words made both the girls 
laugh, and Millicent again forgot that she had 
been so nearly angry at her cousin. 

Oh, Milly, I've thought of something to do 
while Aunt Prudence is away I " Molly ex- 
claimed, clapping her hands together. Let's 
finish making your jelly and surprise her. 
We'll have it all in the jars when she gets 
back." 

“ But mother said it was to drip until to- 
morrow morning," said Millicent. 

‘‘ That's no matter 1 " declared Molly. “ You 
said yourself that the only reason for that was 
to keep the jelly from clouding. 'Twill be just 
as good jelly ; and to have it clouded will make 
it all the prettier." 


OF BUNKER HILL 


55 

Millicent hesitated a moment. Perhaps she 
would have refused Molly^s suggestion ; but her 
cousin gave a little scornful laugh and said : 

Oh, I forgot. You don’t know how to make 
jelly. Of course a little girl who plays with rag 
dolls can’t make jelly.” 

Mary Barclay I I don’t see how you can be 
so hateful ! ” exclaimed Millicent angrily. I 
do know how to make jelly. You just come 
and see if I don’t,” and she ran toward the shed, 
where the juice of the cooked fruit was dripping 
steadily into the pans. 

Mary was close behind her. 

“ I’ll squeeze this bag and you squeeze the 
other,” said Mary eagerly, “ and we’ll have the 
juice all out in no time. I expect your mother 
will be proud as a queen when she comes home 
and finds you have made jelly all by yourself,”' 
she continued. 

Milly made no response. She was thinking 
to herself that this birthday lasting over ” was 
not much better than yesterday. In a very few 
moments the juice was all in the pan. 

“ What do you do now ? ” asked Mary. 

“ I’ll fetch the kettle and turn the juice in. 
Then we put in the sugar and boil it down to 


A LITTLE MAID 


56 

jelly, replied Millicent, who had a little delight 
in telling Mary, who scorned dolls, how jelly 
was made. 

That^s easy enough. And I don^t believe 
it’s going to cloud, either,” said Mary. 

Millicent ran to the kitchen and came hurry- 
ing back with the big kettle. Some of the juice 
was spilled in turning it in ; but neither Milly 
nor Molly thought that it mattered very much. 

“ You want to put in lots of sugar, don’t 
you ? ” asked Mary, as they carried the kettle to 
the fireplace and hung it over the smouldering 
fire. 

Mother said we must be careful of sugar,” 
replied Milly ; but nevertheless a good portion 
of Mrs. Austin’s treasured sugar was put into 
the kettle. 

“ After it begins to boil I s’pose we ought to 
stir it every minute,” suggested Mary. 

Milly was not quite sure about this, but she 
did not want Molly to think that she did not 
know all about jelly-making ; so she nodded her 
head and said : Oh, yes, we’ll have to stir it 
every minute.” 

So the long-handled spoon was brought from 
the closet, and when the juice began to bubble 


OF BUNKER HILL 


S7 

and boil Mary stirred it vigorously. But it was 
warm work standing so near the fire on a sunny 
September day, and Mary soon handed the 
spoon to her cousin. “ You stir now, and Pll 
run to the door and cool off,” she said. So Milli- 
cent gladly took her place. Both girls were 
sure that the jelly would soon be ready to put in 
the jars that Mrs. Austin always filled each au- 
tumn. The jelly was kept for cases of illness, 
or as a special treat when visitors came. 

Mary stood in the kitchen doorway a moment, 
and then stepped out and walked down to 
the willow tree. As she looked down the road 
she exclaimed aloud : My goodness ! There^s 
Aunt Prudence now,^^ and turning she ran 
swiftly back to the house. At the kitchen door 
she hesitated a moment, and then hurried on 
down the field toward the piles of board and the 
boat-building yard. 

“ I bet Miss Milly will catch it, and I donT 
care if she does ; trying to show off about mak- 
ing jelly ! She doesn’t know how any more 
than I do,” thought Mary, trying to justify her 
own mischief to herself, and really feeling a 
little ashamed when she thought of Milly stir- 
ring the boiling juice and sure of a scolding. 


A LITTLE MAID 


58 

Dicky and Prue ran ahead of their mother 
and when they saw Milly standing over the ket- 
tle, spoon in hand, her face flushed and anxious, 
Dicky called out : “ Goody I Millicent’s getting 
dinner.” At the sound of his voice Millicent 
gave a start of surprise and turned suddenly. 
She could never tell how she did it, but in a mo- 
ment the kettle of steaming syrup was over- 
turned and running over the hearthstone, and 
Millicent was screaming with pain ; for a good 
portion of it poured over one of her feet and 
she could not speak or do anything but cry : 

Mother I Mother ! My foot ! My foot I ” 


CHAPTER V 


A DAY OF TROUBLE 

** Dicky, bring the bowl of lard from the pan- 
try shelf— quickly ! ” said Mrs. Austin, as she 
drew poor Millicent away from the hearth and 
seated her in the big chair near the table. It was 
fortunate for Millicent that her shoes were of good 
stout leather and not like the thin kid slippers 
that Mary wore ; for the hot liquid had poured 
over her right foot, and, but for the good shoe, 
she would have been seriously burned. As it 
was her ankle and leg were scalded, and it was 
no easy matter to cut off her knit stocking. 

Be brave, dear child, said Mrs. Austin ; 
crying will not help,’' and Millicent choked 
back the sobs, as her mother covered the burns 
with lard and flour. Pm afraid you cannot 
put on stockings and shoes this week ; and 'twill 
be best for you to rest your feet on the footstool 
to-day. Is the pain better ? " said Mrs. Austin, 
lifting Millicent to a more comfortable position, 
and putting the footstool close to the chair. 

59 


6o 


A LITTLE MAID 


Millicent nodded, and looked up pleadingly 
into her mother’s face. She wanted to say how 
sorry, she was that she had tried to make the 
jelly and had wasted the sugar. For the mo- 
ment she really forgot that it was Mary who had 
prompted the attempt, and remembered only her 
own fault ; but somehow she could not speak. 
But Mrs. Austin seemed to understand, for she 
leaned over and kissed the little girl. 

Mother knows that you are sorry you didn’t 
let the jelly-making wait until to-morrow,” she 
said gently ; “ but where is Cousin Mary ? ” 

'' I don’t know,” Millicent almost wailed, for 
suddenly Mary’s part in the unfortunate affair 
filled her thoughts, and made it all seem un- 
bearably hard ; for Mary had not got burned, 
she thought bitterly, nor was it Mary who had 
missed the birthday dinner at Grandma Bar- 
clay’s. I wish Mary was in Tophet I ” she de- 
clared, recalling an expression she had heard her 
father use in speaking of the English soldiers 
encamped in Boston. 

Mrs. Austin turned quickly away so that 
Millicent should not see that she was smiling. 

“ I’ll slip on another dress before I begin to 
clear up this sticky mess,” she said, looking at 


OF BUNKER HILL 


6i 

the brick hearth where the half-cooked syrup 
lay in pools. There was not a drop in the over- 
turned kettle. “ And, Dicky, you and Prue run 
out in the yard and call Cousin Mary. Perhaps 
she is in the playhouse,^^ she continued, as she 
started to go up-stairs to change her dress. 

Dicky stopped a moment and looked at poor 
Millicent ; then he ran to the big chair and 
reached up his chubby little brown hand and 
gently patted her flushed cheek. I donT want 
to And Cousin Mary I he declared. What did 
she come for? ” 

What did she come for ? repeated Prue 
soberly ; for, in some way, the twins felt perfectly 
sure that all this trouble was the result of their 
Cousin Mary^s visit. 

A little smile crept over MillicenPs face as she 
looked at the twins^ sober faces ; but it would 
not do for Dicky and Prue to think unkindly 
about a visitor, even if it was a troublesome 
cousin ; she remembered that in time to say : 

You must be polite to company ; you know 
that, Dicky."' 

Cousin Mary isn't company ; she just came 
here," Dicky announced. Company is folks 
you ask." 


62 


A LITTLE MAID 


Oh, no, Dicky. You must always treat 
people well who come to your house, even if you 
don’t want them,’’ said Millicent. 

Dicky looked a little doubtful, but he remem- 
bered that sister Millicent was ten years old, and 
he would not be seven until January, so he sup- 
posed that she must know more about company 
than he did ; and, nodding his head, he started 
for the door, closely followed by little Prue. 

They were on the door-step when a big clumsy 
farm-horse with a red-headed boy on its back 
came galloping into the yard. 

“ Hullo, little girls,” called the boy, swinging 
himself to the ground. Where’s your mother ? ” 

“ We are twins ! ” Prue announced suddenly, 
speaking before angry Dicky could think of a 
proper answer, “ and Dicky’s name is Richard 
Warren Austin.” 

“ You don’t say ! ” responded the boy. Well, 
I can’t bother with infants. Where’s your 
mother ? ” 

Here I am, Sammy ! ” came a pleasant voice 
from the kitchen, and Mrs. Austin appeared at 
the door. 

Sammy Crafts’ good-natured face flushed ; but 
he pulled off his faded cap, put his heels to- 


OF BUNKER HILL 


63 

gether and made his best bow as he said : Mr. 
Austin sent me with a message, ma’am. He has 
had to carry a message to Reading, and will not 
be home until to-morrow.” 

Sammy Crafts lived on a farm near the Cam- 
bridge line, and was a schoolmate of Millicent’s. 
He was a boy of fourteen, and was already known 
as the best drummer-boy in the neighborhood. 
He was resolved that he would go with his 
father’s regiment if war really came ; and he tried 
to carry himself in as straight and soldierly a 
fashion as possible ; for, like all Massachusetts 
boys of that time, Sammy was quite sure that to 
be a defender of America’s rights was the finest 
thing in the world. 

** Thank you, Sammy ; you must have a bit of 
dinner with us. Come in.” So Sammy, closely 
followed by the twins, who had entirely for- 
gotten Cousin Mary, came into the kitchen and 
heard about Millicent’s accident, and told her of 
the new teacher. Dinner was all ready before 
any one remembered Mary. 

“ Goodness me I ” exclaimed Mrs. Austin, 
springing up from the table ; if I didn’t en- 
tirely forget your cousin. I will go call her,” 
and leaving the children at the table she hurried 


A LITTLE MAID 


64 

out of the kitchen and across the yard to the 
big tree, feeling quite sure that she would find 
Mary there. But no answer came to her call, 
so she went across the field to the boat-yard 
calling Mary’s name, and looked anxiously 
about in search of her little niece. For a long 
time Mrs. Austin searched, and was returning 
to the house thoroughly frightened when she 
heard : Aunt Prudence ! Aunt Prudence ! 
and turned to find Mary right behind her. 

Oh, Aunt Prudence I I have had such fun 
following you. I was in the tree when you 
called, and I have been right behind you every 
step of the way I ” and Mary laughed delight- 
edly, as if quite sure that her aunt would think 
her a very clever little girl. But Mrs. Austin 
was thoroughly angry. 

“ Mary,” she said quietly, if Millicent had 
played such an ill-mannered and selfish trick 
on any one I should punish her severely ; but 
you are our guest, and I will not punish you 
this time. But if you do not behave for the 
remainder of your visit I shall tell your father 
that you can never come here again. Dinner 
was all ready when I began searching for you, 
an hour ago.” 


OF BUNKER HILL 


6S 

When they reached the house Sammy had 
started for home, and Dicky and Prue were at 
the door watching for them. 

“ Why, Milly ! What^s happened ? How^s 
the jelly ? '' exclaimed Mary, as she saw Milli- 
cent’s carefully wrapped foot. 

“ I upset it I All that sugar wasted I re- 
sponded Millicent, her face very sober, and I 
guess ^twill be a long time before I get my shoe 
on again. 

Mary's face grew as sober as her cousin's, and 
she had little appetite for her dinner, and hardly 
tasted the birthday cake. 

Mayn't I wash the dishes. Aunt Prudence ? " 
she asked, as she rose from the table. 

Yes, Mary ; I shall be glad of your help," 
Mrs. Austin responded. 

The children went early to bed that night. 
Mary was to sleep in a small room that opened 
from Millicent's, and she helped Millicent pre- 
pare for bed. All the afternoon Mary had been 
very quiet, and Mrs. Austin and Millicent were 
both quite sure that she was feeling very sorry for 
the mischief she had caused ; and Millicent had 
already forgiven her cousin, and was quite will- 
ing to be friends. She wanted very much to 


66 


A LITTLE MAID 


ask about Grandmother Barclay's horses, and, 
just as Mary was saying good-night, she said : 

Mary, didn't grandmother get the horses 
back?" 

Mary shook her head. “ No, Milly ; I've been 
wanting to tell you about it ever since I got here, 
but so much has happened. Now, don't you 
ever let grandma know that we let those horses 
out ; for the English soldier, who brought you 
home, found them and Chris saw him going 
toward Boston with them. So she'll never know 
'twas us. Grandma and father, too, are sure the 
soldier stole them ; and she wrote a fine letter to 
General Gage asking him if his soldiers were to 
steal what they liked. Chris brought the letter 
this morning ; that's how I happened to come." 

Millicent had listened to her cousin’s story 
with a despairing heart. 

What will General Gage do to the soldier 
if he believes the letter? " she asked. 

“ Father said very likely the general would 
be * severe,' whatever that may be. For General 
Gage tries to keep his soldiers honest, father 
says," concluded Mary, starting for her own 
room. 

Oh, Molly, wait 1 Don't you see we've got 


OF BUNKER HILL 


67 

to pleaded Millicent. “ At any rate, I’ve 

got to ; for Soldier Francis turned back to bring 
me home when I was lost ; when you ran off 
and left me ” 

“ Don’t you dare to tell,” answered Mary, in a 
whisper, looking fearfully toward the door. 
“ Milly, you mustn’t tell,” and Mary began to 
cry. I don’t know what father would say to 
me, after letting grandmother write the letter. 
Don’t tell, Milly, don’t I ” 

Children,” sounded Mrs. Austin’s voice from 
the stairway, not another word to-night. 
You’ll keep Dicky and Prue awake,” and Mary 
ran into her own room, leaving Millicent to lay 
looking out through her open window at the 
shining September stars. Before she went to 
sleep, however, Millicent had made up her mind 
that some way, some way without blaming 
Mary, she must rescue Soldier Francis from the 
disapproval of General Gage. 


CHAPTER VI 


millicent’s happy day 

It was only a few days before Millicent’s 
burns had healed, and she was again able to 
run about. During the time she was obliged to 
stay indoors there had been a severe storm. 
The great branches of the willow tree had 
thrashed and bent in the wind ; the rain had 
dashed against the windows, and no neighbor 
had come near the house. And during these 
shut-in days Mary had proved herself a cheerful 
and entertaining guest. She had taught Dicky 
how to make cat’s cradle ” with a bit of string 
on his fingers, a game of which it seemed that 
he and Prue would never tire ; she had shown 
Millicent how to knit in a new way, keeping 
the yarn all in the control of the left hand, and 
using the knitting-needle in the right after the 
manner of a crochet-hook ; and had been a real 
help to Mrs. Austin about the household work, 
so that when Black Christopher drove into the 
68 


OF BUNKER HILL 69 

yard on the first pleasant day, saying that he 
had come to take Missie Mary back to her 
grandmother^s, the Austin family were rather 
sorry to see her go, and had quite forgotten her 
mischievous tricks. 

What about Mrs. Barclay's horses, Chris- 
topher?" Mr. Austin asked, as he helped Mary 
into the wagon. 

** We ain’t got 'em yet, sir ; but General Gage 
has writ missus that he's looking into the 
matter. He writ that Soldier Francis, who 
fetched the horses to camp, said as how he 
found 'em loose in de road ! He I He I " and 
the old darky laughed scornfully ; “ and the 
general writ if the soldier did go in the stable 
and take 'em they should be sent back and the 
soldier punished." 

A poor excuse indeed," said Mr. Austin, not 
noticing the frightened look that Mary turned 
toward Millicent. 

Mary leaned down from the wagon. Milly, 
don't you tell I You know what ! " she said, as 
Chris tightened the reins and drove down the 
yard. 

Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Austin paid any heed to 
Mary's words. The children often had harm- 


A LITTLE MAID 


JO 

less secrets, so they gave no thought to this. 
Black Christopher had brought news that the 
British were fortifying Boston Neck, the narrow 
strip of land over which the road led to Rox- 
bury. No more produce was to be allowed to 
enter Boston, and the Austins knew that meant 
even harder times for the loyal citizens. But 
to Millicent it meant that the way to get to 
Roxbury and tell Grandmother Barclay the 
truth about the lost horses would be even more 
difficult. Not quite the whole truth, the little 
girl said to herself, for she had decided to take 
all the blame and to say that she let the horses 
out, and not to mention Mary’s name. 

“ I almost wish I had sent you and the chil- 
dren back with Christopher,” Mr. Austin said 
to his wife as they turned back to the house. 
“ For your mother will soon see the wisdom of 
going to Dedham, and would take you with her. 
Neither Roxbury nor Charles Town will be safe 
much longer,” he concluded. 

Well, we must not frighten the children. 
See Millicent’s anxious face,” responded Mrs. 
Austin, looking down at her little girl. Run 
along with your father, dear child ; he is going 
to Mr. Crafts’ and you’ll like the ride.” 


OF BUNKER HILL 


71 

Millicent’s face brightened and she ran in- 
doors to put on her sunbonnet. Mrs. Austin 
pinned her own shawl about the little girl’s 
shoulders, for the day was cool, with a touch of 
the coming winter in the air. 

“ I must try to manage a warm coat for the ' 
child,” Mrs. Austin said to herself as she 
watched the chaise drive away. 

Mother 1 Oh, mother I ” called Dicky, and 
Mrs. Austin turned to see the twins racing up 
from the direction of the boat-yard. 

Oh, mother I Soldiers are taking away all 
father’s boards an’ everything 1 ” called Dicky. 

“ Come tell them to stop,” for Dicky was quite 
sure that no one would disobey his mother. 
For a moment Mrs. Austin felt as if she must 
indeed do as Dicky said, for it would be a seri- 
ous loss to the little family. 

Come here, children,” she said ; mother 
cannot prevent the soldiers taking away the 
boat and the boards. ’Twill be good fortune 
if they do not come to the house.” 

I told them to stop,” exclaimed Dicky, and 
they wouldn’t. An’ one of the men said ’twould 
be a good plan to duck me in the water.” 

An’ Dicky told the man he das’n’t duck 


A LITTLE MAID 


72 

him in the water ! An' all the men laughed," 
said Prue, making almost the longest speech of 
her life. 

I am truly glad your father is away," said 
Mrs. Austin, leading the twins back to the 
house. We will not go near the boat-yard to- 
day, children." 

While this was happening Millicent and her 
father were riding along the pleasant country 
road toward Cambridge. 

Perhaps we'll find Sammy Crafts practicing 
on that fine drum of his," said Mr. Austin, 
smiling down at his little daughter. “ Let me 
see," he continued ; wasn't it Millicent Austin 
who wanted to learn to play a drum ? " 

A little smile crept over Millicent's face. 
Yes ; but that was when I wasn't much older 
than little Prue ; but I guess I'd like to try 
now. If Sammy Crafts can play so well I know 
I could play a little," responded Millicent. 

“ Of course you could," agreed Mr. Austin, 
and very likely Sammy will let you use the 
drumsticks to-day. He is a good-natured boy." 

Oh, father, do you suppose he will ? " ex- 
claimed Millicent, straightening herself uncon- 
sciously, and for the moment forgetting all 


OF BUNKER HILL 


73 

about Soldier Francis. For Millicent had always 
wanted, almost more than anything else, to 
have a drum of her own, and to play some of 
the gay little marches which seemed to make 
soldiers step out so bravely, and to give all who 
heard the drum beats a feeling of safety and 
courage. 

Couldn't ‘ Goldy ' go faster, father ? ” urged 
Millicent, who could now hardly wait to reach 
the Crafts farm. 

Of course she could," laughed Mr. Austin, 
with a word to the pretty sorrel horse which 
quickened her pace. Millicent's father had 
noticed her sober face ever since her visit to Rox- 
bury, and was glad to see her interested and 
happy again. He thought to himself that if 
Sammy Crafts would part with one of the treas- 
ured drums that Millicent should have it. 

The Crafts farm bordered on the Charles 
River, and the low gray farmhouse was guarded 
by two elm trees. In summer time the front 
door was garlanded by a creeping woodbine and 
a climbing rose, but now only the crimsoning 
leaves and reddening rose-haws remained. As 
they stopped at the gate the front door opened and 
Mrs. Crafts came out to welcome them. When- 


A LITTLE MAID 


74 

ever Millicent saw Mrs. Crafts she was always 
reminded of the red-cheeked winter apples ; for 
Mrs. Crafts' pleasant face was round, her cheeks 
were red, her black eyes small and bright, and 
it seemed to Millicent that she was always smil- 
ing. Her eldest son was with the American 
Army, as were so many Charles Town boys, and 
she often said that it was the finest thing in the 
world for a young man to be willing to defend 
his country. 

Well, Mr. Austin, I am glad indeed that you 
brought Millicent," she said. “ Come right in, 
dear child; and, Mr. Austin, just drive to the 
stable. Mr. Crafts and Sammy are both there," 
and taking Millicent's hand she led her through 
the little square entry to the big living-room. 
‘‘ Take your bonnet and shawl right off," she 
said cordially. 

For a moment Millicent stood quite still just 
inside the room, for on the broad settle rested 
three drums. One was small, ^^just right for 
me," the little girl thought ; the other two were 
larger ; they seemed to Millicent large enough 
to send a whole regiment marching along to 
their music. 

“ Oh, you're looking at Sammy’s drums," said 


OF BUNKER HILL 


75 

Mrs. Crafts smilingly. “ He has been at work 
on them this very morning ; and I declare if I 
don’t do most of my housework to a quick-step 
or a march,” and the little woman laughed 
aloud. It’s ^ rat-a-tat-tat ’ most of the time in 
this house.” 

It must be splendid,” said Millicent eagerly ; 
do you suppose Sammy will play for me ? ” 

“ Indeed he will. He says he doesn’t want to 
go to school next week because ’twill give him 
no time for practice. But I told him the rest of 
the family could bear that,” and Mrs. Crafts 
laughed again. Now if I had a little girl like 
you, Millicent, there would be dolls on that 
settle instead of drums.” 

'' Oh I But I like drums,” said Millicent, 
looking down admiringly on Sammy’s treasured 
possessions. 

Hullo, Milly I ” sounded a pleased voice, and 
she turned to see Sammy standing in the door 
that opened from the kitchen. He came politely 
forward and shook hands with their little visitor, 
and said that he was glad to see her. Then he 
picked up one of the larger of the drums and 
adjusted the strap around his neck. “ I’m go- 
ing out to the barn to practice,” he said. 


76 


A LITTLE MAID 


Oh I mayn’t I go and hear you play ? ” 
pleaded Millicent. 

A delighted smile came over Sammy’s freckled 
face. I guess so. Mayn’t she, mother ? ” he 
responded. 

Of course you may,” agreed Mrs. Crafts, al- 
most as pleased as Sammy himself ; “ and why 
don’t you let Millicent take that little drum? 
Perhaps she would like to play too.” 

“ Could I ? ” and the delight in Millicent’s 
face made Sammy quite forget that he never al- 
lowed any of his playmates to touch the drums. 
He lifted the smaller drum and put the strap 
carefully about Millicent’s shoulders, and then 
handed her two drumsticks. 

There you are I The drummer girl from 
Charles Town,” he said gaily. Now come on 
out and let your father see you. Just tap a bit 
with one stick and then the other on the drum 
as we go out. ’Twill make your father smile,” 
and the two children went happily off toward 
the stable. 

If that don’t beat all ! ” declared the smiling 
Mrs. Crafts as she stepped to the door and watched 
them cross the yard. “ I never knew Sammy to 
let any child touch those drums before.” 


OF BUNKER HILL 


77 

Hold the sticks this way,” directed Sammy, 
showing Millicent the proper way to hold a 
drumstick. '' Don't hold it so tight ; and you 
don't have to strike the drum hard. This way,” 
and Sammy beat a quick measure on his own 
drum, which Millicent at once tried to imitate. 

“ Try again,” laughed Sammy, and Millicent 
did try, not once, but over and over again, until 
Mr. Crafts and her father came to the stable 
door to see what all the drumming was about. 

“ Milly's a born drummer,” declared Sammy 
admiringly. I'll bet she could play a march 
in no time.” 

But ‘ no time ' wouldn't do for a drummer,” 
his father said laughingly. 

Sammy did not often find any one who was 
as willing to be taught as Millicent ; and before 
Mr. Austin was ready to start for home the little 
girl could really beat out a marching measure 
on the drum. 

“ If you'd practice every day you'd soon play,” 
Sammy assured her, “ and I tell you what I'll 
do ; I'll lend you that drum if you want it.” 

“ Oh I Will you, Sammy ? I was wishing 
and wishing I dared ask you to. I'll be just as 
careful,” responded Millicent. 


78 


A LITTLE MAID 


Keep it in a dry place, and don't put it on 
the floor," cautioned Sammy. I'm coming 
over to your house to-morrow to get a load of 
boards your father has sold us, and I'll teach 
you more about the march." 

“ Thank you, Sammy. I s'pose some day 
you'll play the drum in the army," said Milly, a 
little wistfully. 

Sammy nodded. “ I reckon I will," he an- 
swered. “ If the enemy attack Charles Town I 
may get a chance," and his voice sounded very 
much as if he hoped the enemy would attack 
Charles Town. 

Mr. Austin was nearly as pleased as Millicent 
herself at the loan of the drum. I will have 
to hunt up my old flute," he said, as he put the 
drum, carefully wrapped, under the seat of the 
chaise. 

Come again, Milly," said Mrs. Crafts, com- 
ing down to the gate to say good-bye, and 
here's a sweet cake for you to take home to the 
twins." 

Both Millicent and her father thanked the 
smiling little woman, and drove off* in the best 
of spirits. Millicent was happier than she had 
been for a long time. “ I am going to play the 


OF BUNKER HILL 


79 

drum I I am really going to play the drum I 
she said to herself over and over again. 

“ IVe had such a splendid time, father,” she 
said happily, as Goldy trotted off at a good pace 
toward home. 

“ It has been a good day all around,” re- 
sponded Mr. Austin cheerfully. Mr. Crafts 
was as glad to take my lumber as I am to sell 
it. To tell the truth I've been afraid the British 
would get their hands on it before this.” 

“Can you really play the flute, father?” 
questioned Millicent. 

“ I used to think I could. And I have a very 
good flute, too. It came from Italy. My Uncle 
Thomas brought it to me when I was a lad 
about Sammy's age ; and he taught me to play 
it. 'Tis in the top drawer of the high-boy. I'll 
get it out to-night and show you how a march 
really ought to go,” said Mr. Austin, smiling 
down at Millicent's eager, interested face. 
“ We'll have a band right in the family.” 

“ Oh, dear I It's all clouding up,” exclaimed 
Millicent. “ I hope it isn't going to rain to- 
morrow.” 

“ Only a shower,” said Mr. Austin ; “ 'twill 
be fair skies by sunset.” 


8o 


A LITTLE MAID 


But they reached home before the shower be- 
gan, so that the precious drum was safely under 
cover before the first drop fell. Before Milly 
could explain what the wonderful bundle really 
contained, Dicky had begun the story about the 
stolen boards. Mr. Austin came in before it 
was finished, so Dicky had to begin all over 
again. 

An^ Dicky told the soldier-man he das'n’t 
duck him in the water ! An’ all the soldier- 
men laughed/’ added little Prue, soberly. 


CHAPTER VII 


A GREAT ADVENTURE 

Millicent was so eager to show Dicky and 
Prue that she could really play on the drum 
that she gave but little attention to what her 
father had to say at the loss of everything of 
value in the boat-yard. But at supper time she 
forgot the drum when her mother said : 

“ I see no chance of mother ever getting back 
her horses. Of course General Gage will stick to 
the story that the soldier found them running 
loose.^^ 

Even so, your mother can easily prove that 
the horses belong to her ; but, as you say, I 
doubt if she ever sees them again. But General 
Gage cannot believe the man’s story. Of course 
he stole them,” replied Mr. Austin. 

He didn’t steal them. I let them out,” Milli- 
cent declared suddenly. It’s just as Soldier 
Francis said : he did find them loose in the 
road I Oh, dear ! Oh, dear I ” and Millicent put 
her head down on the table and began to cry. 

81 


82 


A LITTLE MAID 


“ What do you mean, Millicent ? asked Mr. 
Austin. “ Stop crying,” and Millicent had never 
heard her father’s voice sound so stern. “ Do 
you mean to tell me that you let your grand- 
mother’s horses loose purposely ? ” 

“ Yes ; Mary and I were going to ride horse- 
back ; but they ran away ; and we ran and ran 
after them, but we couldn’t catch them ; and 
then I got lost and Soldier Francis brought me 
home,” replied Millicent, talking so fast that she 
hardly realized that she had spoken her cousin’s 
name. 

’Tis more of Mary’s mischief. I’ll be bound,” 
declared Mrs. Austin. “ I remember that she 
called back to Millicent ‘ not to tell.’ I’ll wager 
’twas Mary who led Milly into the trouble, and 
then came home in time for dinner herself,” and 
Mrs. Austin reached over and smoothed her 
little girl’s hair so tenderly that Millicent began 
to feel comforted. 

But Mr. Austin’s face was still grave. I do 
not know what Mary may have to do with it, 
but Millicent tells us that she let out her grand- 
mother’s horses. And, worse than that, she has 
let all this time go by and said nothing about it. 
I do not know how to set the matter straight,” 


OF BUNKER HILL 


83 

and Mr. Austin got up from the table and began 
walking up and down the room. “ Go to bed, 
Millicent. I will talk with you in the morning,^’ 
he said, not looking toward the unhappy little 
girl. 

Millicent went toward the stairway, and in a 
moment her mother was beside her. I’ll go up 
with you, dear,” she said, and Millicent began to 
feel, as she always did, that mother understood 
all about it, and knew how sorry she was for the 
trouble. 

When Millicent was in bed Mrs. Austin asked, 
“ Why did you not tell us this before, Milli- 
cent ? ” 

I didn’t dare to,” confessed Milly. Can’t 
father go and tell General Gage about it, and ask 
him to let grandma have her horses ? ” 

Mrs. Austin shook her head. ’Tis not wise 
for an American soldier to go to the general with 
such a story. ’Twould be laughed at ; even 
though it cleared one of their men from horse- 
stealing. I fear that Soldier Francis has had 
some trouble through you, as well as your 
grandma,” she answered. But we will not talk 
about it now, Millicent. Wait and hear what 
father says in the morning. Mother is glad 


A LITTLE MAID 


84 

you have told us,” and kissing Milly’s flushed 
cheek she said “ Good-night,” and Millicent was 
alone. 

Millicent could hear the murmur of voices from 
the kitchen, and knew that her father and mother 
were talking over what she had told them. She 
knew now exactly what she must do. She must 
go to Boston and tell General Gage all that had 
happened, and ask him to let Grandma Barclay 
have the horses back again. I mus^n^t wait 
another day. I must go to-morrow morning,” 
she resolved. 

Millicent did not sleep much that night. She 
was awake long before daylight, and when she 
heard the kitchen clock strike three she slipped 
out of bed and began to dress. Holding her 
stout shoes in one hand, she crept quietly down 
the stairs to the kitchen and put them on there. 
The morning air was sharp, and the little girl 
shivered as she cautiously closed the door behind 
her and stood on the door-step. She had pinned 
a little shawl over her shoulders, but was bare- 
headed. 

Millicent^s first thought was to cross the ferry 
over which her mother had taken her on the 
visit to Roxbury ; so she started along the road 


OF BUNKER HILL 85 

in the dusky shadows of the early morning. 
Looking up she could see the stars still shining ; 
and the road seemed like a gray ribbon leading 
off into darkness. As she walked quickly along 
she thought to herself that her father and 
mother, Soldier Francis and Grandmother 
Barclay, would all be glad when they knew 
that she had told General Gage the truth ; and 
she began to feel less unhappy, and to think 
again of her drum. I’ll get home before 
Sammy Crafts gets there,” she assured herself. 

When she reached the square the darkness 
had faded, and here and there people were 
taking down shutters, or sweeping off door-steps. 
Millicent began to feel tired, and when a whiff 
of the fragrance of bacon or steaming porridge 
came through an open door, she realized that 
she was hungry. But now she was nearing the 
ferry, and once over the ferry she was sure that 
she could soon accomplish her errand and then 
hurry home. 

But there was no one at the ferry. The larger 
boats were pulled well up on the shore, and no 
small boat was in sight. It was too early for 
passengers. Millicent stood on the shore and 
looked across the river. She could see the 


86 


A LITTLE MAID 


Lively/’ a British ship, at anchor in the 
channel ; and, as she stood wondering what she 
could do, a boat put off from the ship and came 
directly toward the Charles Town shore. Milli- 
cent watched it eagerly. As it came nearer she 
saw that it held no passengers beside the man 
who was rowing. As he sprang from the boat 
and drew it up out of reach of the tide he called 
out : 

Well, what’s a small girl like yourself doing 
here at this hour of the morning ? ” 

I want to cross to Boston,” Millicent re- 
sponded promptly, for the man was smiling and 
she did not feel at all frightened of him, even if 
he did belong to the English ship. 

^‘Important business, I suppose?” said the 
man. 

Yes, indeed,” Millicent replied. I want to 
see General Gage just as quick as I can.” 

At the mention of the name of the commander 
of the English troops the man’s smile disap- 
peared, and he looked more closely at the queer 
little figure. 

A message, may be ? ” he questioned ; for it 
was a time when important messages were being 
sent, and he thought it possible some loyal Tory 


OF BUNKER HILL 87 

was sending news to Boston by this little girl. 
He did not stop to ask more questions, but 
pushed the boat back into the water. 

“ Jump in. ril set you across,’’ he said, and 
Milly promptly obeyed. “Just do me a good 
turn, will you, little miss ? ” the sailor said as they 
drew near the Boston side. “ Tell the general 
that ’twas Jerry O’Neil who fetched you from 
Charles Town.” 

“ Yes, indeed I will,” said Millicent ; and she 
jumped out on the wharf at the Boston side, 
and stood watching the sailor rowing swiftly 
back to Charles Town. 

“ ’Tis a good morning’s work I’ve done,” 
Jerry said to himself ; “ like as not General 
Gage will reward me for it. But ’tis a pity to 
send a small girl like that with messages.” 

Millicent stood for a moment looking back at 
the Charles Town shore, with Bunker Hill 
rising above the quiet village, and for a mo- 
ment wished herself at home. Then she re- 
membered her errand, and turned and walked 
slowly up the wharf The Old North Church 
was close by, and she wandered through Salem 
Street wondering how she should find General 
Gage. As she turned into Hanover Street two 


88 


A LITTLE MAID 


red-coated soldiers passed her. Millicent looked 
at them closely. “Soldier Francis I Soldier 
Francis ! ” she called, and ran after them. 

“And what is this?’^ exclaimed the tall 
soldier, looking down at the bareheaded little 
girl. I declare ^tis the little Roxbury maid I 
Are you lost again ? ” he asked laughingly. 
The other soldier had walked on, and Millicent, 
holding close to the hand of Soldier Francis, 
told him her errand. 

“ I told them you didn't steal the horses ; that 
I let them out, but I did not tell soon enough," 
she explained hurriedly. “ I hope General 
Gage did not punish you ? " 

“ And so you journeyed from Charles Town 
to tell the general that Soldier Francis is an 
honest man, eh ? " the big man questioned smil- 
ingly. “ Well, the general believed my story, 
so there's no harm done that way. But those 
two brown horses ? " and the soldier's face grew 
serious. “ Well, well I Perhaps the general will 
send them back if you ask him to. He's but too 
easy with favors to these Boston folk. Did you 
have your breakfast?" he concluded sharply. 

“ Oh, no 1 I wish 1 had," Millicent answered. 

“ Come along with me then," said Soldier 


OF BUNKER HILL 89 

Francis. I’m having a bite at a tavern near 
here, and I’ll like well to see a small maid eat- 
ing her porridge.” And hand in hand the big 
English soldier and the little American girl 
walked down Hanover Street. 

It seemed to Millicent that nothing more won- 
derful would ever happen to her than that 
breakfast with Soldier Francis. She had never 
before been inside an inn, and the long nar- 
row room with its dresser filled with shining 
pewter, the glowing fire at one end where two 
men with big white aprons were busy preparing 
breakfast, all seemed very queer to her. 

Sit here by the window,” said the soldier ; 
you shall have some good porridge in no time,” 
and, after a word to one of the white-aproned 
men, they were soon served with porridge and 
bacon, and a cup of milk for Millicent. 

It was still so early in the morning that only 
a few people entered the inn. Some of these 
looked sharply at the little girl eating her break- 
fast with the soldier, but no one spoke to Milli- 
cent or her companion, and when they had 
finished Millicent said : “ It was a splendid 

breakfast ; I’m much obliged,” so soberly that 
Soldier Francis smiled more broadly than ever. 


90 


A LITTLE MAID 


I don't think much of it myself, but I've 
eaten many worse," he responded ; “ and now 
we'll walk toward the Common, and it may be 
we can manage a message to the general. But 
you should have worn your hat and your best 
gown, little maid," he added kindly, looking 
down at Millicent's bare head and faded linen 
dress. 

Millicent flushed uncomfortably ; and, for the 
first time, realized that she was a very untidy- 
looking little girl. 

I didn't think I " she answered in a low 
voice, looking down at her dusty shoes. ‘‘ Per- 
haps you'd rather walk ahead. I can keep close 
behind. Then nobody will know I belong to 
you," and she drew her hand from the soldier's. 

“ Bless me I Do you think me such a poor sort 
as all that ? I did but speak of what the great 
general expects ; he likes people who visit him 
to wear their best. Now, I have some extra 
shillings in my pocket this morning, and I'd 
like nothing better than to buy you a hat I " re- 
sponded the good-natured man. “ I have seen, 
ribbons and such in a window on King Street." 

I guess my father wouldn’t want you to," 
Millicent answered, a little regretfully, suddenly 


OF BUNKER HILL 


91 

remembering that Soldier Francis was a British 
soldier. 

The man laughed and said no more, and in a 
few moments they were standing in front of the 
window in King Street and Milly was looking 
admiringly at rolls of gay-colored ribbons, and 
big hats of soft felt and velvet. 

“ I wish you were an American soldier,^’ said 
Millicent, looking up into the friendly smiling 
face. 

Oh, ho I So that is why you do not want 
the hat? Well, we’ll say no more about the 
hat,” he answered, and I’ll tell you a secret ! 
I like not fighting against men in their own 
homes — men who have not hurt or wished to 
hurt my own country. Were I not in the 
king’s service, I’d well like to make my home 
in this town.” 

Millicent had hardly heard what he was say- 
ing ; for, coming down King Street, was a little 
procession of finely dressed officers. 

“ Look ! Look ! ” she exclaimed eagerly, pull- 
ing at the skirt of Soldier Francis’s coat ; the 
soldier turned quickly, and with a sudden ex- 
clamation pulled off his cap. 

’Tis General Gage himself,” he declared. 


CHAPTER VIII 


^'jongleurs 

I HAD no thought of what the little maid 
meant to do/’ declared Soldier Francis, when he 
told his messmates that night of what had hap- 
pened when Millicent saw the English general 
and several of his officers coming down King 
Street. 

For, almost at the moment of Millicent’s see- 
ing them, she had stepped off the narrow side- 
walk and ran up the street before Soldier Fran- 
cis could stop her. 

“Why! Who is this?” said General Gage, 
as he found himself confronted by an untidy 
little girl, bareheaded and wearing a small 
woolen shawl pinned over her shoulders. 

“ Get out of the way. Miss Ragamuffin I ” 
commanded one of the young officers, stepping 
in front of the general and taking Millicent by 
the arm. 

“ Don’t touch the child, Lincoln,” exclaimed 
92 


OF BUNKER HILL 


93 

his superior officer sharply, for Millicent had 
spoken his name appealingly, and General Gage 
was always ready to listen to children. 

Indeed, his English followers declared that 
he was too ready to listen to any American. 
He had hoped to avert open war, but he was 
beginning to realize that the men of Massa- 
chusetts were not cowards. 

“ Have you a message for me ? he asked, 
looking down kindly at the little girl. 

Yes, sir,” faltered Millicent. I want to 
tell you that Soldier Francis did not steal my 
Grandma Barclay’s brown horses. I let them 
loose. He did find them, just as he said. Will 
you please send them back to my grandmother 
in Roxbury so that she can go to Dedham ? ” 
and Millicent, quite out of breath, looked up 
pleadingly into the grave, kind face of the gen- 
eral. Soldier Francis, still cap in hand, stood 
just behind Millicent. 

“ And do you live in Roxbury, little maid ? ” 
asked the general, and Millicent told him her 
name, adding : 

“ I live in Charles Town, on the road beyond 
Bunker Hill ; and some of your soldiers took 
my father’s boat and all his boards.” 


A LITTLE MAID 


94 

At this the officers exchanged smiles and 
nods. But General Gage did not smile. His 
face was very grave. A little crowd of people 
were gathering, and Boston people were not 
friendly to these undesired guests, who had en- 
camped on the Common, and whose ships lay 
at anchor in Boston Harbor, a daily reminder 
of the English king’s threat to deprive them of 
their rights. The general walked on with Mil- 
licent beside him. 

Shall I send the child home, sir ? ” ques- 
tioned one of the young officers. 

’Twill be as well,” replied the general. 

Tell Soldier Francis to take her safely to the 
Charles Town shore,” and then he turned again 
to Millicent. '' You are an honest little maid to 
confess your mischief and to clear a soldier’s 
good name,” he said pleasantly. You must 
tell your grandmother that her horses will be 
returned to her if her family are loyal people 
and not rebels.” 

Millicent no longer looked up at the English 
general, but stood silent and unhappy. She 
heard the general speak to Soldier Francis and 
then suddenly she remembered the sailor from 
the “ Lively,” and said : “ I meant to tell you 


OF BUNKER HILL 


95 

that Jerry O’Neil brought me over the ferry.” 
At this several officers laughed aloud, and Gen- 
eral Gage smiled. 

“ Come, little maid,” said Soldier Francis, 
and Millicent found herself walking away from 
the great general who had crossed the seas from 
England to Boston to make the colonies yield 
to King George’s demands. 

Neither Soldier Francis nor Millicent had 
much to say on their walk to the ferry. An 
English sailor at the wharf offered to set them 
across, and they were nearly at the Charles 
Town shore before Soldier Francis said : 
** You’ve been wonderful brave, little maid, to 
take all this trouble to tell the truth ; and I 
thank you for proving me an honest man. It 
may be I can some time do a good turn for you.” 

Millicent looked up quickly and a little smile 
brightened her face. I was thinking my com- 
ing was of no use,” she said. 

“ ’Twas a fine thing to do,” declared the sol- 
dier. “ ’Twill be something to remember that 
a little American girl was bound to tell the 
truth, though ’twas but to clear an English 
soldier.” 

** ’Tis easier to tell General Gage than it will 


A LITTLE MAID 


96 

be to tell my grandmother/^ said Milly, as she 
stepped ashore. 

“You will find your way now in safety?^' 
questioned the soldier. 

“Yes, indeed, answered Milly, and bade her 
friend good-bye, and started along the familiar 
road which would lead her through the square 
and to her home. 

The midday sun was very warm, and it was 
not long before Millicent began to feel very 
tired and sleepy. As she reached the foot of 
Bunker Hill she left the road and sat down to 
rest in the shade of a big beech tree. She leaned 
back against the tree and closed her eyes, and 
in a moment she was asleep. It was several 
hours later when she awoke. Some one was 
saying : “ Millicent Austin I Millicent Austin I 
Wake up I and there was Sammy Crafts stand- 
ing in front of her. “ Well, you’ve scared your 
folks pretty well,” he declared, looking down at 
her. “ What made you run off? ” 

“ I didn’t,” responded Millicent. “ I just 
stopped to rest and I went to sleep.” 

“ You’d better come home. Guess you’re 
hungry?” said Sammy. “Come on; your 
father’s searching toward Cambridge, and was 


OF BUNKER HILL 


97 

going to get the neighbors to help look for you. 
Reckon he thought some of those English ‘ lob- 
ster-backs ^ had stolen you.’^ 

The American boys thought lobster-backs 
expressed their scorn of the red-coated English 
soldiers. 

Oh, dear I said Milly, standing up and 
leaning against the friendly tree. “ I'm so tired 
I don’t know as I can walk home." 

Come on," insisted Sammy ; 'tain't more'n 
a mile to your house. Wish Fd brought my 
drum along, then you wouldn't think about 
anything only just keeping step." 

I forgot all about the drum," said Millicent. 
It was a very tired little girl who walked 
slowly up the path toward her mother who 
stood in the kitchen door waiting for her. Mrs. 
Austin put her arm about Millicent and drew 
her into the pleasant room without a word. 

Oh, mother," said Millicent, I'm so sorry 
about grandma's horses." 

** And was that why you started olF, leaving 
us to be so frightened ? Oh, Millicent I " re- 
sponded her mother. 

I found her asleep at the foot of Bunker 
Hill," declared Sammy, who stood in the 


A LITTLE MAID 


98 

kitchen door. “ Guess Fll put off and find Mr. 
Austin/’ he added, and Millicent and her 
mother were alone. 

Tve been to Boston,” said Milly, a little 
faintly, for she was really almost too tired to 
speak. She was sitting in the big rocking-chair, 
and as she leaned back she closed her eyes, and 
gave a long sigh of satisfaction. 

But Mrs. Austin looked at her in alarm. She 
was quite sure that Millicent had not been to 
Boston, for the ferryman had declared that no 
little girl had crossed that morning ; so when 
Millicent began the story of her adventure her 
mother was quite sure that her little daughter 
was seriously ill and did not know what she was 
saying. 

And I had breakfast with Soldier Francis, 
and I told General Gage about letting the brown 
horses loose,” went on Millicent, her eyes still 
closed and speaking in a tired voice. 

Yes, yes, dear child. Now you are safe at 
home, and so tired that you want to go to bed. 
And I have some nice warm gruel all ready for 
you, and a piece of warm corn bread,” and Mil- 
licent opened her eyes as her mother spoke, and 
owned that she was hungry. 


OF BUNKER HILL 


99 

She ate the bread and gruel hungrily. “ I 
had porridge at the inn, and that’s all I’ve had,” 
she said. Where’s Dicky and Prue?” 

” They are playing about in the boat-yard. 
You’d best go right to bed,” said Mrs. Austin. 

As Millicent went slowly up the stairs she 
went on with the story of the wonderful day. 
“ I s’pose I ought to be tired for I got up when 
the kitchen clock struck three. Jerry O’Neil 
set me across the ferry, and I told General 
Gage ” 

Don’t talk any more now,” said Mrs. Austin, 
again fearing that her little daughter did not real- 
ize what she was saying ; and Millicent was quite 
willing to let her mother help her prepare for 
bed, although ’twas not yet dusk. She was fast 
asleep before her mother tiptoed carefully from 
the room. 

** Perhaps she really did go to Boston,” said 
Mr. Austin as he listened to his wife’s story. 
“ And it is not unlikely that she may have 
spoken with General Gage. We will not worry 
about her until to-morrow morning; if she 
sleeps through the night and has the same story 
to tell we can be sure that she has not dreamed 
it.” 


lOO 


A LITTLE MAID 


Millicent slept late the next morning, and 
when she came down-stairs she wondered why 
her mother and father looked at her so closely. 
She ate her breakfast alone, and then, after a 
few questions from her father, the entire story 
of her yesterday^s adventures was recounted. 
When Millicent repeated what Soldier Francis 
had said to her of her courage in telling the 
truth she noticed that her father's face grew less 
serious, and a little smile crept about his lips. 

Then there was a little talk with her father 
that Millicent was always to remember; and 
when it was over she was sure that she would 
not again follow Mary or any one else into mis- 
chief. 

I do wish I had told mother and grand- 
mother right oflp," she said earnestly. But, 
some way, Millicent could not be sorry that she 
had journeyed to Boston ; and neither her father 
nor mother had blamed her overmuch for they 
understood Millicent's desire to set right the 
mischief she had helped to dp. 

Milly, play on the drum," demanded Dicky, 
running into the room. 

But there was work for Millicent to do this 
morning. School was to begin on Monday, and 


OF BUNKER HILL 


lOI 


this was Friday, and Mrs. Austin reminded Mil- 
licent that there was an apron to make before 
Monday morning; and in a little time Milly 
was sitting in her own little chair near the 
pleasant western window busily at work with 
her needle. 

'Tis the best of good fortune that we have a 
good store of linen cloth, said her mother, “ for 
the English will not let us make or buy any- 
thing. I could wish we were as well provided 
with wool. But by another year perhaps all this 
worry and trouble will be over, and the English 
soldiers back in their own country.^^ 

Millicent did not really hear all that her 
mother was saying, for her thoughts were with 
her wonderful journey to Boston, the kindness 
of Soldier Francis and the pleasant words of 
General Gage. 

Why do we hate the English, mother ? she 
asked suddenly. 

“ Gracious sakes, child I We are English our- 
selves I We do not hate the English. Tis the 
wicked government that would make slaves of 
Americans that we rebel against,'' declared her 
mother ; and, Millicent, think no more about 
all this matter of soldiers and trouble. When 


102 


A LITTLE MAID 


you have finished your seam take the drum 
Sammy lent you and go out to the shed with 
Dicky and Prue ; ” for it seemed to Mrs. Austin 
that her little daughter was too much interested 
in the worry and trouble which shadowed every 
American in 1774. 

MillicenPs face brightened, and she worked 
busily on, setting every stitch as neatly and 
finely as possible. When the seam was ended 
she fastened her thread carefully, folded her 
work and put it away, and then ran to the closet 
for the drum. In a few moments the gay 
rat-a-tat-tat ” was heard from the shed, and 
Dicky and Prue came running to see and hear 
Millicent play the drum. 

Mr. Austin came up from the boat-yard with a 
wheelbarrow load of chips for fuel, all that was 
left of value. As he stood at the shed door he 
nodded his head approvingly. Millicent has a 
sense of rhythm and time,’^ he said aloud. 

‘‘ Oh, father, won’t you get your fiute now ? ” 
said Millicent. 

Not now ; wait until after supper to-night. 
And you children can take the wood-basket and 
fill it with these chips,” he responded. So Milli- 
cent put the drum on the bench, and with the 


OF BUNKER HILL 


103 

help of Dicky and Prue had soon emptied the 
basket. 

“ Father, mayn’t I play on the flute? ” asked 
Miilicent, as her father came back to the shed. 

Mr. Austin looked at her smilingly. “ Well, 
well, so you want to be a ‘ Jongleur,’ do you ? ” 
he questioned. 

“ I don’t know what a ' Jongleur ’ is,” replied 
Miilicent. 

A ^ Jongleur ’ is a person who can play on a 
number of musical instruments ; and, besides 
that, can invent amusing games to please peo- 
ple. He can sometimes imitate the songs of 
birds and the calls of wild animals,” explained 
her father. 

Miilicent danced about the shed in delight. 

That’s splendid ! I’ll be a ‘Jongleur,’ ” she de- 
clared happily. “ Oh, father, why didn’t you 
ever tell us about ‘ Jongleurs ' before ? ” 

“ I’ll be it, too ! Me and Prue,” announced 
Dicky. 

“ Well, Dicky, you have made a start with your 
rhyme,” replied Mr. Austin, “ for Jongleurs often 
are clever rhymesters.” 

Miilicent had the drum strap over her shoul- 
ders again, and, holding the sticks exactly as 


A LITTLE MAID 


104 

Sammy had directed, she beat out the first meas- 
ure of a march. 

I'll have the flute all ready this evening," 
Mr. Austin promised, as he went back to his 
work, leaving the children making plans to learn 
to play drum, flute, and perhaps the violin, and 
eager for the evening to arrive that they might 
hear their father play. 


CHAPTER IX 


THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL 

When Mr. Austin played the first notes upon 
his flute that evening the children looked at each 
other with smiles of delight. It seemed a very 
wonderful thing to them that their father could 
really play on a flute. Dicky and Prue were to 
sit up until eight o’clock that evening, and they 
were full of eager questions about drums, and 
flutes, and Jongleurs.” The word Jongleur ” 
seemed to please Dicky very much. He kept 
saying it over and over until Milly declared that 
he sang it. 

Mr. Austin told them that Frederick the 
Great, of Prussia, played the flute ; and that in 
Sparta in olden times the choruses in public 
celebrations were led by the flute ; and in 
Greece flute playing was a part of the education 
of all the youths. 

“ Now, Millicent, I think I can help you get 
the right time for ' The Cadet’s March,’ ” said 
105 


io6 A LITTLE MAID 

Mr. Austin, and for a little time Millicent and 
her father practiced together on drum and flute. 
It was one of the happiest evenings that the 
little family had known for some time. Mrs. 
Austin watched the others with smiling eyes, 
her hands busy with her knitting ; for at that 
time all the stockings and warm mittens for a 
family had to be made at home, and the mother 
of a family had her knitting ready for the times 
of '' leisure.^^ 

When the clock struck eight Mr. Austin put 
down the flute, and Mrs. Austin rolled up her 
knitting. Little Prue was already half asleep, 
but Dicky pleaded for one more tune. 

Go to bed, Dicky. To-morrow Pll let you 
try a tune on the flute yourself,’^ said his father, 
and this promise sent the boy happily off to bed. 

Millicent, with her mother^s help, had already 
written a letter to Grandma Barclay telling her 
own part in letting the horses loose. Although 
she did not mention her Cousin Mary^s name 
she was sure that her grandmother would realize 
that Mary had a part in the mischief. Millicent 
told the story of her journey to Boston, and of 
what General Gage had said ; and ended her 
letter by saying : “ I am afraid the brown 


OF BUNKER HILL 


107 

horses will never come back to Roxbury, dear 
grandma, and I hope you will forgive me for 
letting them out, and for not telling you when I 
could not catch them/’ 

Mr. Austin promised to find some way to for- 
ward the letter ; but it was a difficult matter to 
get letters through Boston. Millicent was now 
happier than she had been for weeks. She had 
done all that she could to undo the mischief 
that her Cousin Mary had led her into, and the 
fact that her mother and father knew all about 
it helped to make it seem less dreadful than 
when it was her own secret. 

The twins were to begin school on the open- 
ing of the autumn term, the following Monday. 
And as Millicent walked down the road with 
Dicky firmly grasping her right hand and little 
Prue clinging to her left, she felt that she was 
really the grown up sister. 

Dicky carried the basket of luncheon ; for the 
schoolhouse was nearly a mile distant from their 
home, and it would be growing dusk before they 
would return. 

“ I wish the teacher would let us bring the 
flute and drum to school,’’ said Dicky as they 
marched along. 


io8 


A LITTLE MAID 


Perhaps she will some day/^ responded 
Milly encouragingly. 

It was a long day for little Prue, and she was 
glad when it was time to start for home. She 
had never kept still so long in all her life, and 
she was quite sure that she did not like school. 
But Dicky declared that he had had a fine time. 
At recess a boy had shown him a wonderful 
game. 

You have a pointed stick, and you hold it 
in your right hand, then you throw up an apple 
with your left hand and catch it with the stick,” 
he explained to Millicent, as they walked toward 
home. 

“ That would be a good trick for a * Jongleur,' 
wouldn't it, Dicky ? '' responded Millicent laugh- 
ingly. ** You know father said that they had to 
invent games.” 

“So he did ! ” agreed Dicky enthusiastically. 
“ I wish father would let me take the fiute to 
school to show the boys.” 

“ Wait until you can play a tune on it,” said 
Millicent, “and then perhaps he will.” 

Dicky agreed that the boys would probably 
have a better opinion of him if he could really 
play a tune on the fiute, and now he was as 


OF BUNKER HILL 


109 

eager to practice on the flute as Millicent on 
Sammy Crafts' drum. Every night the kitchen 
echoed to their attempts to play “ The Cadet's 
March," and it was not many weeks before their 
father owned that he really knew what they 
were trying to play." 

The autumn was warm and pleasant that year. 
The first snow-storm did not come until Decem- 
ber. After that Mrs. Austin thought it best for 
little Prue to stay at home ; but Dicky went 
sturdily ofi* to school each morning with Milli- 
cent. 

It may be that the English soldiers will 
cross the river before long," Millicent heard 
her father say one cold December morning just 
as she and Dicky were starting for school, “ and 
then there'll be no more school for months to 
come." 

Millicent thought to herself that it would be 
a great pity if school should have to be given 
up just when it was so very interesting. For 
Miss Martin, the teacher, had listened to Dicky's 
story of “ Jongleurs " with great attention, and 
had said that she thought it would be a fine 
thing if each of her scholars could play some 
musical instrument. Miss Martin could play 


I lO 


A LITTLE MAID 


on the guitar herself, as all the children knew, 
and she had promised them that on the last day 
of the term she would bring the guitar and play 
for them. When Dicky told her that he and 
Millicent could play “ The Cadet’s March ” on 
the flute and drum Miss Martin looked at her 
young pupils with evident surprise. 

“ Why, then, we will have a regular concert 
on the closing day,” she declared. We will 
have songs with choruses by all the pupils ; and 
Dicky and Millicent shall play their march.” 
So now Dicky and Millicent practiced more than 
ever ; and as the days grew shorter and their 
father was more at home, Mr. Austin would 
often take the flute and show Millicent and 
Dicky just how to place their lips, and the posi- 
tion in which to hold the flute. 

’Twould be a good idea if Miss Martin 
should close school on December 16th,” Mr. 
Austin said one evening after the usual practice 
on the flute. “ The days are far too short now 
for school ; and the sixteenth is the first anniver- 
sary of the day when the ‘ Dartmouth’s ’ cargo 
of tea was emptied into Boston Harbor. Dr. 
Warren is to give an address in Boston that 
day to remind the citizens; and ’twould be 


OF BUNKER HILL 


III 


well for Charles Town children to have a cele- 
bration in their school that they may not 
forget the courage and patriotism of their 
fathers.’^ 

Why, that^s the day school will close, ex- 
claimed Millicent ; but we did not remember 
about the tea/^ 

Twas a tea party that the world will re- 
member whenever America is spoken of,^^ said 
her mother, “ and I’m glad school is to close so 
soon,” she added, for ’tis near dark when the 
children get home.” 

The sixteenth was a clear, bright winter’s 
day, and the little schoolroom was snug and 
warm. Miss Martin and some of the older chil- 
dren had cut boughs of spruce and pine and 
fastened them over the windows and door. The 
concert was to be early in the afternoon, and 
a number of the parents were coming ; there 
was a pleasant little air of excitement all the 
morning, and when the afternoon session opened 
and visitors began to arrive in high-backed 
sleighs or on foot the children were all smiling 
at each other and eager for the opening chorus ; 
and when the Reverend John Martin entered 
and the children all rose to bow in response to 


I 12 


A LITTLE MAID 


his greeting, Millieent felt that this was a far 
more important occasion than speaking to Gen- 
eral Gage in Boston. 

The minister commended the little assembly 
to the divine care, and then, after the little still- 
ness which followed his words, Sammy Crafts 
appeared in the doorway with his drum. 
Sammy had not been a pupil this term, and 
his coming was a surprise to all except to Miss 
Martin, who had arranged for him to take a part 
in the exercises. 

Standing just inside the door Sammy did not 
seem to see any of his schoolmates until he had 
politely bowed to Mr. Martin and the other 
guests, and to the schoolmistress. Then he 
faced the school and bowed again. There was 
a little murmur of approval among the visitors, 
and his mother flushed happily as she listened 
to the praise of her neighbors at the good man- 
ners of her son. Instantly Sammy’s drumsticks 
beat out the Call to Arms.” Then came a gay 
“ Rat-tat,” which set the feet of the listeners 
keeping time unconsciously ; and then Sammy 
had made his bow again, and taken his seat be- 
side his mother. 

And now at a word from Miss Martin the 


OF BUNKER HILL 


113 

pupils were all on their feet again and their 
voices rang out in the old hymn : 

All people that on earth do dwell, 

Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice ; 

Him serve with fear, His praise forth tell. 
Come ye before Him and rejoice.’^ 

Many of the visitors joined in singing the 
hymn that English people had sung for over 
a hundred years. 

Miss Martin now played a tinkling serenade 
on the guitar, and, before any one could ap- 
plaud, nodded smilingly at Dicky, who sat on 
the very front seat, and announced that : “ Miss 
Millicent and Master Richard Warren Austin 
would play ^The Cadet^s March ^ on the drum 
and flute,^^ and the brother and sister came for- 
ward and, in their turn, made their bows to the 
minister, the guests, and to Miss Martin and 
the school. Dicky, endeavoring to bow exactly 
as he had seen Sammy Crafts do, nearly lost his 
balance, and straightened himself with a very 
flushed face. For a moment Dicky wished that 
he had never seen or heard of a flute, and was 
tempted to run to where his mother sat ; but 
the tap, tap of Millicent^s drumsticks gave him 


A LITTLE MAID 


114 

courage and lifting the flute to his mouth he 
forgot everything else except the delight of 
making music. 

Well done indeed, my boy,” declared Mr. 
Martin. May you some day cheer brave sol- 
diers on to protect the rights of America.” 

Yes, sir,” stammered Dicky. 

No one commended Millicent, though she had 
played the drum with spirit. In fact there had 
been doubtful looks among the visitors at the 
sight of a girl with a drum. 

I guess you needn’t feel very proud,” whis- 
pered Polly Danforth, a seat-mate ; ** girls don’t 
play drums.” 

Millicent wished that Miss Martin was not 
looking at her, for she wanted to make up a 
face at Polly Danforth and to whisper back, 
“ Tory I ” for it was well known among the chil- 
dren that Polly’s father was not a loyal Amer- 
ican. Then the minister talked to the pupils, 
and asked how many of them remembered what 
had happened in Boston on the 16th of De- 
cember in 1773. Millicent was the only one 
who raised her hand ; and now Mr. Martin 
smiled approvingly upon her and said: ''So 
it is our little drummer girl who remembers. 


OF BUNKER HILL 


115 

Tell us, then, what happened,’' and Millicent 
said : 

’Tis a year since the ' Dartmouth’s ’ cargo of 
tea was emptied into Boston Harbor, because 
Americans would not pay unjust tribute to 
England ; ” and now there was a murmur of 
approbation and applause. 

‘'Just for remembering that,” thought Milli- 
cent. “ ’Twas a lot harder to learn to play a 
march on the drum.” Nevertheless she was glad 
that the little gathering had approved of her, 
and she smiled triumphantly toward Polly Dan- 
forth when she sat down. 

The short December afternoon was fading 
into dusk when the pupils and visitors started 
for their homes. There were streaks of gold 
and crimson in the western sky, and the air had 
grown milder. 

“ More snow coming,” declared Sammy Crafts, 
endeavoring to look very wise and grown up as 
he put his drum into a stout case he had made 
for it. “ Say, Milly, you played first-rate,” he 
added, “ and you may keep that drum if you 
want to.” 

“ Truly ? Forever ? ” questioned Millicent, 
hardly able to believe such good fortune. 


A LITTLE MAID 


1 16 

''Sure, forever,’' responded Sammy, and so 
Milly started for home a very happy little girl. 

It happened that none of the neighbors 
were going toward the Austin farm, so Mrs. 
Austin, with little Prue holding fast to her 
mother’s hand, Millicent and Dicky started olF 
toward home without other company. Mr. 
Austin was in Boston, where he had gone to 
listen to Dr. Warren’s address. 

" Mayn’t I play the march for us to march 
home ? ” asked Millicent, and Mrs. Austin smil- 
ingly agreed. Millicent never knew that the 
beat of her drum fell on the ears of a little 
party of English officers who were riding from 
Charles Town ferry toward Cambridge, and who 
drew rein on the same road over which the lit- 
tle family were walking toward their home. 

" Can it be that the Yankees are marching 
toward Boston ? ” one of the English horsemen 
asked, stopping his horse and turning to one of 
his red-coated companions. 

" It sounds like it. ’Tis the march they play 
everywhere,” declared the other. " We’d better 
turn back before they get sight of us, since we 
are but three, and know not the number of the 
enemy,” and turn back they did, and galloped 


OF BUNKER HILL 117 

quickly to the ferry, and hurried to their com- 
manding officer with news that the Charles 
Town people were ready to march to Boston to 
drive out the English troops. 

As Millicent reached the gate under the big 
willow she gave a resounding Kat, tat I Rat, 
tat, tat, tat,^^ which fell so clearly on the ears of 
the retreating soldiers that they sent their horses 
along more swiftly, quite sure that the enemy 
was close upon them. 

“ It’s been a pleasant day, surely,” said Mrs. 
Austin, as they entered the house, ** but I fear 
’twill be a long time before the neighbors again 
gather with peace and safety.” 

Nobody seemed to like my playing the 
drum, nobody but Miss Martin ; she said that I 
played well,” said Millicent, a little despond- 
ently. 

And so you did, dear child. The neighbors 
were surprised, I doubt not, that a girl should 
play the drum ; yet I am sure they thought you 
did well,” responded her mother. 

“ Could a girl ever help America by playing a 
drum ? ” asked Millicent, thinking of all Sammy 
Crafts had said of the courage of drummer boys 
whose music cheered the soldiers on to victory. 


A LITTLE MAID 


1 18 

“ It might be,’^ replied Mrs. Austin ; ** girls 
and women should always be ready to help ; 
and who knows but you may help by playing 
your drum?’^ 

Millicent's face brightened. It would be 
fine if I could help, wouldn^t it, mother ? she 
said eagerly. 


CHAPTER X 


BLACKY 

That night Millicent was awakened by a 
queer wailing cry. For a moment she thought 
it must be that little Prue, who slept in a trun- 
dle-bed i,n Millicent^s room, was ill ; but before 
Millicent was really awake the cry came again, 
and she realized that it was outside the house, 
directly under the window of her room. It 
was a pitiful sound, and in a moment Millicent 
had run to the frost-covered window and was 
endeavoring to peer out. 

** Oh, I can't see a thing," she whispered to 
herself, and ran shivering back to bed. But the 
noise did not stop, and Millicent could not sleep, 
so she slipped on her shoes and dress and groped 
her way down the stairs. 

“ Mother and father are sound asleep," she 
thought, ‘^ril just see what the noise is." As 
she opened the outside door a little dark figure 
came crawling along toward her. The night 
119 


120 


A LITTLE MAID 


was clear and bright, and Milly could see that it 
was a small dog. “ Oh, he hasn’t but three feet,” 
she exclaimed aloud, and at that moment she 
heard her father’s step in the kitchen and in a 
moment Mr. Austin, a lighted candle in hand, 
was beside her. It’s a little dog, father ! ” she 
exclaimed pitifully. 

The little creature seemed hardly able to get 
itself up the step, and Mr. Austin, handing the 
candle to Millicent, picked it up. 

Run into the kitchen, Milly,” he said, and 
followed her holding the dog carefully. 

The kitchen fire, carefully covered by ashes, 
was still alive, and the room was warm. 

‘‘ It’s a little spaniel, and it has evidently 
been caught in a trap and got free from it. Too 
bad, little dog,” and Mr. Austin tenderly exam- 
ined the crushed paw. 

“ No wonder he cried,” said Millicent. 

I’m afraid the little chap has had a hard 
time. Put on the kettle, Milly, and heat some 
water so I can bathe his paw and fix him up ; 
and set some milk to warm on the hearth.” 

Millicent obeyed ; the little dog lay on Mr. 
Austin’s knees as if satisfied that he had found a 
friend. Now and then he would give a little 


OF BUNKER HILL 


I2I 


whine of suffering, but his dark eyes seemed to 
plead for patience. 

“ What soft pretty ears ! ” Millicent said ad- 
miringly. 

“ Don’t touch him, dear. He wouldn’t mean 
to hurt you, but just now he is in pain and 
might snap,” said her father ; so Millicent stood 
looking down at the shivering little dog. 

May we keep him, father ? ” she asked. 

“ Of course we may, until we find who owns 
him,” responded her father. 

The little dog lapped up the warm milk grate- 
fully, and let Mr. Austin bathe and bandage the 
hurt paw with only little whimpers of pain, and 
Mr. Austin fixed a comfortable bed for him in 
the chimney-corner. 

Now go to bed, child,” he said to Milly. 

Our visitor will rest nicely here. Don’t wake 
mother or the twins when you go up-stairs.” 

I’m glad he came to our house, father,” 
whispered Millicent, and with a last look at the 
little dog started up the stairs. I think traps 
are horrid,” she decided, as she slipped back into 
her comfortable bed. If it hadn’t caught this 
little dog, it would have caught some little wild 
fox with nobody to help it,” and Millicent re- 


122 


A LITTLE MAID 


solved to tell Dicky never, never to set a trap 
for any wild creature. 

The little dog seemed half afraid of his new 
friends the next morning ; but it did not take 
him long to find out that he was a very welcome 
guest. It was evident that he had been without 
food for some time, and he ate eagerly, and 
seemed content to lie near the fire, wagging his 
tail and watching the children. 

He was a black spaniel ; and though his coat 
was now rough and dirty, Mr. Austin said that 
when the little dog had been well fed and cared 
for he would have a fine silky fur. 

Dicky could not keep far away from the span- 
iel. He sat down on the hearth close beside the 
dog, and very soon was smoothing the dark head. 
It was quite evident that the boy and dog under- 
stood each other. 

'' He must have a name,” said Millicent. 

‘‘ Let^s call him ^ Blacky,' ” said Dicky 
promptly. See ! He knows we're talking 
about him, don't you. Blacky ? '' and so the 
little dog was named. 

He's my dog, isn't he, mother ? I found 
him,'' said Millicent, when Blacky began to 
hobble about the room, holding up his bandaged 


OF BUNKER HILL 


123 

paw in so careful a manner that they all laughed 
to see him. 

“Yes, he^s Milly^s dog,” agreed Dicky, who was 
always ready to agree with whatever his elder 
sister said ; and as little Prue was ready to agree 
with Dicky, Blacky became MillicenPs especial 
property. It was several weeks before the little 
dog was in good condition, and the crushed paw 
was never quite right. Blacky would always 
limp a bit ; but he got about very well with his 
three good legs and was a bright and good- 
natured companion. 

“ The last of the sugar, and no more to be 
had,” Mrs. Austin declared one January morn- 
ing, as she held up a half-filled sugar-bowl ; 
“ and only a little wheat flour left,” she added. 

“ And I wasted all that sugar,” exclaimed 
Milly, remembering the overturned kettle of 
syrup, and how Mary had urged and led her on 
to the unfortunate jelly-making. 

“ Pm glad our supply of wood is holding out,” 
said Mr. Austin ; “ a good many of our neighbors 
are getting their wood from the good people of 
Lexington. To-morrow sleds are expected from 
Reading, and the citizens mean to give them 
a rousing welcome.” 


124 


A LITTLE MAID 


Mayn^t I go up to the square to see the sleds 
come in ? asked Millicent. 

“ Yes, you may go with me,^' agreed Mr. 
Austin. Mr. Crafts and Sammy are going to 
call for me, and there’ll be room to take you 
along. The sleds are expected about noon.^^ 
Milly had a knitted hood of red yarn and 
warm mittens, and Mrs. Austin had made her a 
warm coat of a heavy blue woolen blanket ; for 
it was no longer possible for the Charles Town 
people to get necessary supplies either of food or 
clothing ; and Mrs. Austin, like all the residents 
of the town, had to make use of what material 
she had, and do without many comforts. 

When Mr. Crafts and Sammy drove up the 
next morning on their way to the square, Milly 
and her father were all ready. 

“ Oh, Sammy has his drum ! Millicent ex- 
claimed. 

Yes ; weVe going to give the Lexington and 
Reading sleds the best welcome we can,’^ replied 
Mr. Crafts. “ Put your flute in your pocket, 
Austin. They are bringing us wood and corn 
and potatoes to help us through these times, until 
we can make England see that we can take care 
of ourselves ; so Charles Town means to give 


OF BUNKER HILL 


125 

Lexington and Reading neighbors a fitting wel- 
come.’^ 

Mr. Austin ran back to the house for his flute, 
and Mr. Crafts tucked the warm robes about 
Millicent. 

“ Millicemt can play * The CadeVs March ' as 
well as I can/' suggested Sammy, but his father 
did not seem to hear. 

I couldn't ; not in the square I " Milly 
hastened to say. 

Of course not, Sammy ! The idea," and 
Mr. Crafts looked at his son reprovingly. ‘‘ 'Tis 
not fitting that a little maid should play a drum 
in public. 'Tis well enough at school," he 
added ; so no more was said about Millicent's 
drum. 

Blacky followed Milly to the gate, and 
Sammy asked eagerly if any one had claimed 
him. If you don't want to keep him I'll take 
him," Sammy said hopefully. 

We want to keep Blacky ; don't we, father ? " 
Milly responded confidently. 

I suppose we do, now he's made himself so 
much at home," replied Mr. Austin. '' But I 
must say I can't understand where the little 
fellow came from. I don't believe he was well 


126 


A LITTLE MAID 


treated in his former home or he would have 
found his way back.'' 

“ Look, Milly ! There are some boys coasting 
on Bunker Hill," said Sammy, pointing his 
mittened hand to the steep slope round which 
the road curved. Milly looked at the flying 
sleds, and resolved to herself to have a coast 
down that same slope before many days. 

Mr. Crafts and Mr. Austin were talking of the 
entertainment to be given at Captain Adams' 
tavern to the generous neighbors from Lexington 
and Reading. The square was already full of 
people, and Mr. Crafts left Milly and her father 
with Sammy in front of the church, and drove 
off to find stabling for his horse. 

Give us a tune on the drum, Sammy," 
called another boy, but Sammy shook his head. 

There they come I There they come ! " 
shouted a voice in the crowd ; and a little group 
of horsemen could be seen down the road. These 
were members of the Charles Town Militia who 
had been sent out to escort the sleds into town. 

Now, Sammy Crafts, uncover that drum 
and be ready with a good measure," commanded 
a tall soldierly-looking man standing near by. 

Yes, sir," responded the boy readily ; and as 


OF BUNKER HILL 127 

the heavily loaded sleighs swung into the 
market-place it was Sammy Crafts’ drum that 
bade them welcome, and which led the cheers 
of the people. 

On one of the sleds was hoisted the Union flag, 
and on its center in big letters was inscribed : 

“ To the Worthy Inhabitants of Boston and 
Charles Town : 

Ye noble patriots ! Constant, firm and true, 

Your country’s safety much depends on you. 

In patient suffering greatly persevere. 

From cold, from famine, you have naught to fear. 
With tender eye the country views your wo. 

With your distress will her assistance grow : 

Or if, which Heaven avert, some fatal hour 
Should force you from your homes by tyrant power. 
To her retire : with open generous heart 
All needful aid and comfort she’ll impart : 

Gladly she’ll share the wealth by heaven bestown 
With those, for her, who’ve sacrificed their own.” 

Millicent read the lines as the big flag, held 
firmly by tall slender poles, went slowly by. So 
intent was she upon the words that she had not 
noticed a little black figure bounding along by 
the roadside until a sharp bark and a tug on her 
coat made her look down. 


128 


A LITTLE MAID 


** Oh, Blacky I What made you come ? she 
exclaimed. The movement of the crowd had 
swept her some little distance from Sammy, and 
her father had left her a few moments earlier to 
go with other citizens to welcome the Reading 
and Lexington men, so when Blacky reached 
Millicent she was surrounded by people who 
were strangers to her. 

The little dog was quite sure that his little 
mistress must be glad to see him ; and Millicent 
picked him up and held him in her arms for 
fear he would be hurt in the crowd, while 
Blacky tried to tell her as well as he could that 
he had run all the way so as to take care of her. 

The sleds had passed on, followed by the 
crowd, and Millicent found herself alone, at 
some little distance from the church. From 
further up the square she could hear the beat of 
a drum, and was sure that Sammy had forgotten 
all about her, and she began to feel glad of 
Blacky’s company. She put the little dog down, 
and he ran along beside her. 

'' I wonder where my father is ? ” thought 
Millicent, almost wishing herself at home in the 
warm pleasant kitchen, where her mother and 
the twins would now be eating their dinner, and 


OF BUNKER HILL 


129 

suddenly she resolved to go home. “It's not 
much over a mile, and I'd rather walk than 
stand here," she thought, a little unhappily, for 
all the music and people, and the pleasant ex- 
citement seemed to have drifted away from her. 
At that moment she heard her name called 
loudly, and turned to see Sammy Crafts running 
down the road toward her. 

“ Millicent, I say I I was scared. I thought 
I'd lost you. Come on back to Captain Adams. 
You are to play ‘ The Cadet's March ' on my 
drum. Captain Adams wants you to, and your 
father says you may. Come on," and Millicent, 
with Blacky close at her heels, was hurried up 
the road to the pleasant tavern where the enter- 
tainment for the visitors was to be held. 

“ I don't believe I can," she faltered. But 
when her father took her by the hand and told 
Mrs. Adams that this was his little “ drummer 
girl," Millicent no longer felt afraid. 

“ I'll play with you, Milly," Mr. Austin said, 
as he unfastened her coat ; and Mrs. Adams bade 
her come and warm her hands and feet at the 
glowing fire in a sunny upper chamber. 

“ And you shall have some nice hot broth 
before going down-stairs, my dear," said the 


A LITTLE MAID 


130 

friendly landlady ; '' and after all the speeches 
and music are over you and I will have a com- 
fortable dinner by ourselves. And the little dog 
shall have a bite, too.^^ 

When Millicent, with Sammy’s fine drum 
swung over her shoulders, entered the big room 
of the inn where the guests and their hosts were 
gathered, she looked up at her father with a 
little frightened expression ; but his whispered 
Play your best, Millicent,” made her forget 
everything except that her father would be dis- 
appointed if she failed ; and she had never 
played so well. Intent on her drum Millicent 
did not notice that Blacky was close beside her, 
and that at the first note of the fiute he had 
raised himself on his hind feet, and, as if imita- 
ting a soldier, was pacing in time to the music. 
But the murmur of laughter and applause made 
the little girl look up from her drum, and there 
was Blacky in front of her as if waiting for her 
approval. 

So it was Blacky who was the star of the en- 
tertainment. Every one had a word of praise 
for the clever little dog ; and Millicent was sure 
that he was the finest dog in America. But 
Millicent had her share of praise too, and it was 





THE STAR OF THE ENTERTAINMENT 



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OF BUNKER HILL 131 

a very happy little girl who sat down at the 
round table with Mrs. Adams, with a fine dinner 
spread before them. 

“ And Mr. Blacky shall have a chair beside 
you,^^ declared Mrs. Adams. So Blacky was 
near enough to accept such bits of roast chicken 
as were offered him. For there was chicken, 
and sliced ham and jelly, and round frosted 
cakes. And when they had quite finished, and 
Millicent^s ^father came to say that Mr. Crafts 
was ready to start for home, Mrs. Adams care- 
fully wrapped up a package of the cakes for 
Millicent to take home to Dicky and little Prue. 

Blacky promptly jumped into the sleigh and 
curled himself up at MillicenPs feet. 

'' He knows that he has earned a ride home, 
the clever creature,'' said Mr. Crafts. “ It has 
been a great day for these young people," he 
added smiling at Milly's happy face, ‘‘ and I 
reckon they'll remember it." 


CHAPTER XI 


A SLED AND A DIED 

When Dicky heard of Blacky's part in the 
entertainment he insisted that Milly and their 
father should play, so that he and little Prue 
could see Blacky march to the music. But, to 
everybody's surprise, the little dog did not seem 
to take any notice of the music. 

Perhaps if we both stand up, side by side, 
and mother and Dicky and Prue sit in a row 
'twill make Blacky remember," suggested Milly. 

Perhaps it will. I believe the little dog is 
a trick dog, one who has been taught to do 
tricks," replied Mr. Austin. As Millicent and 
her father stood up as if facing an audience 
Blacky immediately took his place in front of 
them as he had done at the tavern ; and, to the 
delight of Dicky and Prue, marched and coun- 
termarched in time to the music. 

Oh, Blacky ! What else can you do? " de- 
manded Dicky, and Blacky cocked his silky 
132 


OF BUNKER HILL 


133 

head knowingly, and stood as if waiting for 
some familiar command, and then, in a second, 
he was balancing himself cleverly on his head. 
After this he walked on his hind legs around 
the little circle, holding out his right paw, the 
poor crushed little paw, as if to shake hands. 

If the children had admired their new friend 
before they now regarded him as the most re- 
markable dog that had ever been known. 

Do you suppose he belongs to some of the 
English in Boston, and followed them to Charles 
Town ? ” Mrs. Austin asked her husband. 

It may be. But Blacky seems to like his 
new home better than his old,^^ replied Mr. 
Austin ; and, as time went on, and no one 
claimed the little creature, the Austin children 
regarded Blacky as a member of the family. 

IVs lucky for you children that I had put 
a few boards in the shed before the English 
visited our boat-yard, said Mr. Austin, a few 
days after the discovery of Blacky’s accomplish- 
ments. I have been meaning to make you a 
sled ; and here is a good stormy day for the 
work.” 

“ Mayn’t I help? ” asked Dicky. 

Of course you may. You can steady the 


A LITTLE MAID 


134 

boards for me to saw, and you can sandpaper 
the strips of ash for the runners ; for I do not 
know any way to get good steel runners for it, 
and ash makes a very fair runner,’^ replied his 
father, and Dicky went happily ofiP to the shed, 
while little Prue contented herself with the 
company of Caroline Rosalind ; for Millicent 
had told her that Caroline Rosalind could 
“ visit Aunt Prue ” all day. To be called 
Aunt Prue and to have the big rag doll for 
a visitor was delight enough for the little girl, 
and she was quite satisfied to be parted from 
Dicky for an hour or two. 

‘‘ Mother, I saw children sliding on Bunker 
Hill the other day,^^ Millicent said, as she 
helped her mother with the household work. 
“ MaynT I go over there to-morrow ? Our sled 
will be finished to-night.’^ 

'Tis too far from home ; and the slope of the 
field back of the house will give you a good 
coast,’^ replied her mother ; and then, seeing 
the look of disappointment on her little 
daughter’s face, added : It may be you can go 
some day with Sammy Crafts ; but say nothing 
about it to Dicky, for ’tis too far for him.” 

Millicent nodded happily. She had never 


OF BUNKER HILL 


13s 

had a sled of her own, and was looking forward 
eagerly to seeing the Reindeer,’' as she had al- 
ready named the sled her father was at work on. 

In the afternoon the sun came out and the 
snow stopped falling. The sled was finished be- 
fore night — a strong, well-made sled, with its ash 
runners, and smooth curved seat. The children 
all looked at it admiringly, and, although it 
was nearly dusk, their father said they could 
have one slide down the field. 

The runners will go better after using,” he 
said, and Milly tied on her red hood, put on 
her coat and mittens, and tucking little Prue 
up on the sled, she and Dicky drew her across 
the yard to where the field began to slope down 
to the boat-yard. There was a good crust under 
the newly fallen snow and, with Dicky in 
front holding the sled-ropes, Prue tucked 
snugly in behind him, and Milly on back, 
ready to steer with her heels, the sled went 
swiftly down the hill. 

'' It’s the best slide I ever had ! ” Millicent 
declared happily. ” What is it, Dicky ? ” she 
concluded, for Dicky was standing with his 
head bent a little, as if listening, and was look- 
ing intently toward a clump of willows near by. 


A LITTLE MAID 


136 

“ Sshh ! and he lifted his little mittened 
hand, and Milly looked toward the willows and 
listened. She could hear a queer little note, re- 
peated over and over. It seemed almost to say 
'' Help ! ” and then Quick I over and over. 

It’s a bird ! ” exclaimed Millicent, tiptoeing 
over the snow, but she need not have feared 
making a noise. As she reached the bush a bird 
fluttered up, and then fell back as if pulled down 
by some unseen hand. 

‘‘ Oh, what is it holding him ? ” called Dicky, 
who was close behind her. 

It did not take Millicent long to discover that 
one of the bird’s feet was caught in a string. 
The little creature fluttered in its efforts to escape, 
but Millicent clasped it gently. 

“ Break that string, Dicky,” she said. “ See, 
it is twisted about the upper branch.” Dicky 
quickly obeyed, and now the bird lay quietly in 
Millicent’s hands, panting, as if too tired to make 
another effort for freedom. 

I guess I’d better take it home. I believe 
one of its wings is hurt,” said Millicent, holding 
it tenderly. ‘‘ You’ll have to draw the sled up 
the hill, Dicky.” 

All right,” answered the little fellow sturdily. 


OF BUNKER HILL 


137 

‘‘ You sit still, Prue ; I can pull you up,*^ and, 
slipping and stumbling, Dicky dragged the sled, 
with Prue on it, back up the hill, while Milli- 
cent carried the little brown bird. The joy of 
the new sled was quite forgotten in their dis- 
covery of the little bird. The string still hung 
from one of the slender legs. 

I do believe it was caught in a string-trap,^^ 
declared Millicent, and when they reached the 
house Mr. Austin said she was right, and showed 
them how the loop was made in which the song- 
sparrow^s foot had caught. 

“ Probably the snare was set for partridge,’^ 
he said. 

I hate snares and traps,’^ exclaimed Millicent. 
‘‘Just think, a bird might starve and freeze 
caught by one of these hateful things ; and see 
what a trap did to our poor Blacky. 

“ Snares and traps are Indian ways of catching 
game, and it is true that they are hateful,” re- 
plied her father. “ IPs fortunate Dicky has 
such good ears or Master Sparrow would have 
starved, and probably broken his leg in trying to 
get free.” 

“ IsnT he tame?” said Millicent, smoothing 
the delicate feathers gently. 


A LITTLE MAID 


138 

It proved that Master Sparrow's leg was hurt ; 
sprained,” Mr. Austin said, and one of his 
wings seemed of little use to him. His back was 
a soft brown color, streaked with black, and he 
had a black “ breastplate.” 

“ Look out for Puss and for Blacky ; they 
might make a supper off Master Sparrow,” 
warned Mrs. Austin, as the children came into 
the kitchen. 

Puss is in the barn, and I know Blacky 
wouldn't hurt a bird,” said Millicent ; but Mrs. 
Austin thought it best that Blacky should go 
out in the shed until arrangements were made 
for the sparrow's safety. 

I'll put some slats across the top of this box, 
and fix him safe for to-night,” said Mr. Austin, 
returning from the shed with a square wooden 
box, in which he had put a handful of straw. 

Sparrows like all sorts of grain ; he will like 
this cracked corn,” said Mrs. Austin, setting a 
little dish of cracked corn in the box, together 
with a cup of water. Then Master Sparrow was 
put in his new quarters, and the narrow strips 
of wood fastened securely across the top of the 
box. 

“ See I He was hungry,” said Dicky, watch- 


OF BUNKER HILL 


139 

ing the brown bird eagerly pick up the broken 
corn. 

He’s saying * Thanks, thanks ! ’ ” declared 
Millicent, as the sparrow chirped contentedly, 
and soon settled itself on the straw, and tucked 
its head under its wing as if to say Good-night. 
Too tired to talk.” 

“ May we keep him, father ? ” asked Dicky, as 
they sat down to supper. 

“ Why, we’ll have to think about that,” re- 
sponded Mr. Austin ; “ Master Sparrow can gen- 
erally take pretty good care of himself, even in 
winter. He knows where to look for seeds, and 
is easily satisfied. When spring comes he is 
after caterpillars and cut-worms, and has plenty 
to do. If this little bird is all sound and well in 
a few days I think we’ll have to let him go free 
to attend to his own affairs.” 

“ But we may keep him until he’s well ? ” 
pleaded Dicky. 

Of course we’ll do that,” agreed his father, 
and the box holding the sparrow was set on the 
high chimney shelf over the fireplace before 
Dicky went up-stairs to bed. 

*'The sled is splendid, father,” said Millicent, 
when the affairs of the sparrow had been settled, 


A LITTLE MAID 


140 

but I think now we ought to call it ‘The Spar- 
row/ instead of ‘ Reindeer ' ; because, you see, 
it flew right down to where we found the bird/^ 
So the new sled was renamed “ The Spar- 
row,” and Millicent went to bed thinking more 
about the coasting on Bunker Hill than about 
the little bird whose name she had given to her 
sled. 


CHAPTER XII 


blacky’s master 

The sparrow chirped briskly and fluttered 
smartly about the box next morning ; but, 
nevertheless, it was soon evident that the deli- 
cate foot was severely injured, and that one 
wing was seriously hurt. Master Sparrow 
would never again be able to flit from tree to 
tree, or to provide for himself, and so it was set- 
tled that henceforth he should be Dicky’s es- 
pecial charge, and that a suitable cage should be 
made for him without delay. 

While the children were all sorry for the 
harm that had befallen the bird, they were de- 
lighted to know that they could have him for a 
pet. 

’Twould be a cruel thing to set the sparrow 
free,” declared Mrs. Austin, for, even if he 
were not eaten up by some cat, he could not 
take care of himself. Perhaps in a little time 
the foot and wing will mend so he can go 
141 


142 A LITTLE MAID 

free ; for a cage makes a sad life for a wild 
bird/^ 

'' May I make his cage ? ” asked Dicky ; 
Mr. Austin agreed, and Dicky ran after his 
father to the shop to begin work at once. The 
sparrow had evidently decided to make the 
best of misfortune, and chirped gently now 
and then to remind Millicent and her mother 
that he was really grateful for food and shel- 
ter. 

I wish we knew where Blacky really came 
from,’^ Millicent said thoughtfully, as the little 
dog peered up at the box in which the sparrow 
was hopping about. Do you suppose some- 
body is feeling bad because he is lost?’’ For 
Millicent now loved Blacky so dearly that she 
was quite sure his former owner must be broken- 
hearted to have lost him. 

I think it likely Blacky may have been the 
property of one of General Gage’s soldiers, and 
in following some one across the ferry lost his 
way, and finally got caught in the cruel trap. 
But I know of no way that we can discover his 
master,” replied Mrs. Austin, and I would not 
worry about it, Milly ; for the little dog is 
happy, and if he had been well treated in his 


OF BUNKER HILL 


143 

former home he would, some way, have found 
his way back/^ 

“ I couldn^t bear to let him go now,’' Millicent 
said, smoothing Blacky’s silky head. 

A loud rap at the front door made her look 
up suddenly, and Mrs. Austin looked startled, 
while little Prue started to run and open the 
door. 

Come back, child,” called her mother. ** I’ll 
go to the door,” and she hurried through the 
chilly passage to the front door, which was sel- 
dom used during the winter months. 

As she drew the bolt and pulled open the 
door Mrs. Austin wondered to herself who the 
visitor could be, for the neighbors usually came 
to the side door. As the door swung open Mrs. 
Austin found herself facing a red-coated Eng- 
lish soldier. 

** Is this Richard Austin’s house ? ” he asked. 

Mrs. Austin nodded. 

“ Well, then, I’ve come after my spaniel that 
your girl stole when she came to Boston,” the 
man said gruffly, putting his foot over the 
threshold. 

You will please to step around to the side 
door,” Mrs. Austin responded, and the man 


A LITTLE MAID 


144 

stepped back, grumbling a little, and turned to 
go to the side door, while Mrs. Austin swung 
the door to, and ran back to the kitchen. 

Run to the shed, Milly, and call your 
father,” she said. But at that moment Mr. Aus- 
tin entered the room, and then the red-coated 
figure appeared at the kitchen door. 

'' Well, sir ? ” said Mr. Austin, turning to face 
the man. 

“ Vve come for my dog,” said the man, a 
black spaniel. A valuable dog, Mr. Austin, 
trained and clever. If you’ll hand him over 
I’ll say nothing about your little girl toling him 
olF from Boston.” 

Mr. Austin looked at the fellow sharply. 

“ A little black dog with a hurt paw came 
here some weeks ago,” he replied, “ and we have 
cared for it. I do not know if it’s your dog.” 

Well, sir, it is,” replied the man more civilly. 

His name’s Jerry,” he added. 

I never saw the dog in Boston,” declared 
Milly, but I’ve seen the soldier. His name is 
Jackson. He didn’t want Soldier Francis to 
^ take me back to grandma’s.” 

The soldier nodded, a little smile creeping 
over his face. 


OF BUNKER HILL 


145 

Well, where's the dog ? " he asked, looking 
about the room. “ Oh, there you are I " and 
striding across the room he reached under the 
settle and pulled Blacky out — a whining, terri- 
fied Blacky. He knows me, all right," said 
the soldier ; and he shook the dog roughly. 

“ Oh, don't, don't hurt him," pleaded Milli- 
cent. 

** I'll teach him to stay where he belongs after 
this," and, without another word to Mr. Austin, 
the soldier, holding the frightened dog under 
his arm, strode from the room. 

Millicent started to run after him, but her 
mother stopped her. 

He was hateful to Blacky ; Blacky was 
frightened of him," sobbed Millicent, while 
Dicky and little Prue stood looking at their 
father as if they could hardly believe it possible 
that he would let any one take Blacky away. 

Are you sure it was his dog, Richard ? " ques- 
tioned Mrs. Austin. 

“ Yes ; the very fact that Blacky hid at the 
sound of the man's voice proves that. But I'm 
afraid Blacky, or ' Jerry,' as the man called him, 
has had a hard master," replied Mr. Austin. 

How did he know where Blacky was ? " 


A LITTLE MAID 


146 

asked Millicent. Do you suppose he heard of 
^ Blacky at Captain Adams' tavern ? " 

“ Why, yes ; that is probably the way Jackson 
got news of his dog. But we must remember 
that Blacky belongs to him," said Mr. Austin. 

The day passed very sadly. Dicky did not 
have much interest in working on the cage for 
Master Sparrow ; and little Prue could not be 
consoled for Blacky's loss even by Caroline 
Rosalind." 

“ Millicent, I believe I'll let you take Dicky 
to Bunker Hill this afternoon," Mrs. Austin said 
as they sat down to dinner. 

But Millicent shook her head. I don't want 
to go," she said dully. She was quite sure that 
she could never be happy again as long as 
Blacky would have to live with a cruel master. 

The next day after Blacky's departure Sammy 
Crafts brought a letter from Grandmother Bar- 
clay ; it had come by the way of Cambridge, 
and said that Mrs. Barclay was in Dedham, and 
would remain there until Roxbury and Boston 
were free from English soldiers. 

Does she say anything about the brown 
horses ? " Millicent questioned eagerly. 

‘‘ Yes, and it is indeed good news, and is the 


OF BUNKER HILL 


147 

result of your telling General Gage the truth. 
Listen, and 111 read you what your grand- 
mother says,’^ replied Mrs. Austin. * The 
British general sent the horses safely home,’ ” 
she read. ^ I suppose he liked not to have the 
name of “thief” added to that of an English 
soldier. Millicent was indeed a brave child to 
try to undo the mischief, and I hope she will 
henceforth be more thoughtful ; for losing the 
horses would have been serious trouble for me.’ ” 

“ She doesn’t say a word, not a word about 
Cousin Mary,” said Milly, a little reproachfully. 

For a moment Mrs. Austin was silent, then 
she put her arm about Millicent and said gently, 
“ Never mind about Mary, dear child. Her 
mischief is her own affair. I want you to learn 
and remember this little verse : 

“ ‘ Of all Excuses this is most forbid : 

“ I did The Thing because the Others did.^^ ^ 

Millicent said the lines over after her mother, 
and soon had them by heart. She knew they 
fitted her case very well ; but, nevertheless, she 
felt it was rather hard to have Grandmother 
Barclay blame her for the loss of the brown 
horses. 


148 A LITTLE MAID 

‘‘Whereas Blacky?’’ Sammy Crafts asked, 
when he came in from the shed where Dicky 
had proudly displayed the cage for Master Spar- 
row. 

When Sammy heard of the soldier’s visit the 
boy’s face flushed. 

“ A fellow like that has no business to be a 
soldier, not even an English soldier,” he de- 
clared. 

“ That’s right, Sammy,” said Mrs. Austin. 

A soldier ought to be above injuring any help- 
less creature.” 

“ I’ll take Dicky and Millicent sliding if 
you’re willing?” Sammy suggested. '*1 don’t 
have to go right home.” 

And now Millicent was ready to go, and 
started off with Dicky and Sammy for Bunker 
Hill. Dicky consented to let Millicent and 
Sammy pull the sled while he rode in state. 

It’s a steep coast down Bunker Hill, but 
that makes it all the more fun,” said Sammy as 
they went briskly along over the frozen snow. 

As they reached the point from which they 
meant to coast down the children turned and 
looked over the town, and at the two smaller 
heights, Breed Hill and Moulton’s Point, toward 


OF BUNKER HILL 


149 


Boston. Neither of the children dreamed that 
they were standing on a slope where, in a very 
few months, a terrible battle would rage, or that 
the name “ Bunker Hiir^ was to become a name 
sacred to every American. 


CHAPTER XIII 


THE LONDON SLED 

There were several other coasting parties on 
the hill. Polly Danforth, a girl of Millicent's 
own age, was there with a fine sled. It was 
painted a bright red, and its steel runners curved 
up in front and were ornamented with delicately 
carved swans^ heads. Polly herself was dressed 
in a scarlet coat and a round cap of white fur. 

Hullo, Milly Austin,^' she called, with a 
scornful look at Millicent’s home-made sled. 
“ Where did you get that sled ? she asked. 

‘‘ My father made it,^^ replied Millicent 
proudly, but looking admiringly at Polly^s shin- 
ing red sled. Where did you get yours ? 

Oh, mine came from England,^' answered 
Polly, with evident pride. 

Well, I wouldn’t slide on it,” declared 
Sammy Crafts. “ Massachusetts sleds are good 
enough for us, aren’t they, Milly ? ” and Milly 
nodded her agreement. 

160 



AWAY THEY WENT 




OF BUNKER HILL 


151 

Polly laughed good-naturedly. “ I don’t 
care what you say,” she replied ; my sled is 
the finest one in Charles Town. You can slide 
with me if you want to, Milly.” 

“ I guess I’d rather slide on my own sled,” 
Milly answered. 

All right,” and with a wave of her white 
mittened hand Polly turned to her sled, and in 
a moment was flying down the hill. 

'' Good for you, Milly,” said Sammy. This 
is a fine sled ; hop on beside Dicky. I’ll steer 
you down ; and I’ll bet we go right past that old 
London sled.” 

Millicent was on the sled in a jiffy, and away 
they went. Whether Sammy chose the better 
coast, or the home-made sled was really better 
suited to the rough hillside than Polly's finer 
sled, the Sparrow ” shot past the Swan,” 
slipped swiftly down the hill and across the nar- 
row field at the foot ; and its passengers were 
there to call out their triumph when Polly’s sled 
bounded down behind them. 

Your sled goes better than it looks,” laughed 
Polly. I’d like to slide down on yours, even 
if you won’t slide on mine,” and the four chil- 
dren climbed up the slope together, quite forget- 


A LITTLE MAID 


152 

ting kings and revolutions. But this pleasant 
state of affairs did not last long. 

Dicky, you come slide with -me this time, and 
then ril coast down with Milly, and you and 
Sammy can try my sled,^' suggested Polly, as 
they reached the top of the slope. 

No, thank you,^’ replied Dicky politely. 

Why not? demanded Polly. 

’Cause I don’t like your sled. I like you, 
though,” replied Dicky, smiling up at the bright- 
cheeked, pleasant girl. 

Polly’s smile faded. Well, then, I don’t like 
you, Dicky Austin, nor your sister, either. You 
are just rebels, Yankee rebels; my father says 
so,” and Polly started as if to turn away. 

** Oh, Polly, don’t be angry,” exclaimed Milli- 
cent, running after her. Dicky didn’t mean 
to hurt your feelings. It’s just because your sled 
came from London. You just leave the sled up 
here, and coast down with Sammy and Dicky 
once. Do, Polly I I’ll stay and watch your 
sled.” 

Polly stood silent for a moment. She did not 
have many playmates, because it was well known 
that her father’s sympathy was with the invaders 
of Boston ; and the Charles Town children were 


OF BUNKER HILL 


153 

apt to call her Tory, Tory/’ Although Polly 
did not quite know what the word meant, it al- 
ways provoked her to call back, “ Rebel ! 
Rebel 1 ” 

‘‘ I don’t see why you don’t like my sled,” she 
answered. 

Come on, Polly,” urged Sammy. “ You’ll 
have a better coast on a good American sled,” 
and Polly, handing the “ Swan’s ” rope to Milly, 
took her place on the “ Sparrow,” and went hap- 
pily off down the hill. 

Milly stood watching the others, thinking 
that her father was really the most wonderful 
father in the world to make so fine a sled from a 
few boards. 

Oh I ” she exclaimed suddenly, for a big 
snowball had struck her fairly between the 
shoulders, and in a second two or three more 
snowballs fell close beside her ; and she heard a 
voice call Tory, with your red sled, get off 
Bunker Hill,” and more snowballs fell, one 
striking her on the head and another on the 
shoulder. 

Millicent turned quickly about and saw, 
farther up the slope, a fort-like embankment of 
snow, and over the top a number of dark heads. 


A LITTLE MAID 


154 

Just then came a call from the foot of the hill, 
and Sammy Crafts came rushing up the hill. 

Firing at a girl ! he called scornfully, and 
a sudden cessation of the snowballs proved that 
the boys in the snow fort had heard him. 

Make up snowballs, Milly,^^ he called, ** just as 
fast as you can ; I’ll drive those boys out of the 
fort.” 

Milly hastened to obey, and Sammy, rolling 
up the soft snow, hurled the balls rapidly at the 
heads of the enemy whenever one appeared over 
the snow wall. 

By this time Polly and Dicky had arrived, and 
they too joined in volleys of snowballs against 
the enemy’s snow fort. 

“ Come on ; let’s drive those boys out of their 
fort,” said Sammy, running up the hill, closely 
followed by Millicent, Polly and Dicky. 

Hold on, Sam Crafts,” called a boy, appear- 
ing from behind the fortification. Say, you 
ain’t a Tory. We’re fighting the Tory girl.” 

Sam stopped suddenly. 

Well, you’re a nice set,” he called back ; “ I 
guess your old fort ain’t worth taking, anyway. 
’Twas Milly Austin you were throwing snow- 
balls at. Not much Tory about her ; and any- 


OF BUNKER HILL 


I5S 

way, you're pretty small to fight a girl, Tory or 
no Tory." 

The boy seemed surprised to hear Sammy, and 
a little ashamed as well, but he endeavored to 
defend himself. I don’t care ; we ain’t going to 
have any London sleds on this hill,’’ he shouted. 

Polly was close behind Sammy, and Millicent 
saw that she was ready to cry. She reached 
out and clasped Polly’s hand in her own. 

We like you, Polly, Tory or no Tory,’’ she 
declared, and you’ve got just as much right to 
slide here as those hateful boys ; hasn’t she, 
Sam?’’ 

“ Of course she has ; the idea of fighting a 
girl,’’ responded Sam. 

'' Here, you fellows, come out from behind 
that wall. I’m going to give you a good lick- 
ing,’’ and Sammy rushed valiantly toward the 
heaped up snow. As he did so two boys ran 
out in the other direction, and without looking 
back to see if they were pursued or not van- 
ished round the curve of the hill. 

Let ’em go, and good riddance,’’ declared 
Sammy. Don’t feel bad, Polly ; you can’t 
help it if your father is a Tory. Come on. I’ll 
slide you down the hill on your sled,’’ Sam con- 


A LITTLE MAID 


156 

eluded handsomely. At this Polly's face bright- 
ened, and they turned back to where they had 
left their sleds. 

Oh, the sleds are gone," Dicky called out. 
And indeed not a trace of the Sparrow " or the 
“ Swan " was to be seen. 

It was a very sober little group that said 
good-bye to Polly Danforth, whose home was 
near the square in an opposite direction from 
the Austin farm. 

“There must have been other boys who sneaked 
off after the sleds when we started for the fort," 
said Sammy. 

“ I don't care so very much," declared Polly. 
“ I guess I never would enjoy that London sled. 
But I'm sorry you lost yours." 

“ Well, we had a good time, if our new sled is 
lost," said Millicent, a little mournfully, as they 
walked toward home. Dicky had grasped Mil- 
licent's hand as if he feared that she, too, might 
disappear. 

“ I'm afraid your folks will blame me about 
the sled," responded Sammy soberly. “ You 
see, I'm older ; and of course they thought I'd 
take care of you." 

“ You did, Sammy ; and of Polly, too." 


OF BUNKER HILL 157 

Don^t feel bad/' said Sammy as they reached 
Millicent’s gate ; “ perhaps you'll get both the 
sled and the dog back some day." 

Milly shook her head. No, I guess they're 
both lost forever," she said despondently ; but, 
Sammy Crafts, I do think you're splendid. I 
shouldn't wonder if you grew up just exactly 
like Dr. Joseph Warren," and Millicent felt sure 
that no boy could expect higher praise than 
that. 

Sammy thought it was high praise indeed. 


CHAPTER XIV 


BLACKY RETURNS 

** Millicent ! Millicent I Here’s our sled I ’’ 
exclaimed Dicky, the very next morning after 
the coasting adventure, as he came running up 
the path from the gate. It was right under 
the willow tree.” 

Millicent ran out to look at the sled. It was 
not hurt in any way ; it was evident that Polly 
Danforth’s London ” sled had been the reason 
of the mischief, and that the boys had no wish 
to hurt the home-made “ Sparrow.” 

“ It’s splendid to have it back, but the snow 
is melting so fast I don’t believe we can slide 
to-day,” said Millicent. 

“ It’s slushy,” agreed Dicky, “ but perhaps 
’twill freeze to-night,” he added hopefully. 

But it did not freeze that night. The weather 
grew warmer, and in a few days the snow had 
all disappeared. The winter of 1774-1775 was 
an unusually open season ; but when March 
came there were heavy winds, cold rains, and 
168 


OF BUNKER HILL 


159 

long days when the Austin children had to stay 
close in the house, and it was then that Milly 
practiced on the drum and Dicky on the flute, to 
the evident amazement of Master Sparrow, who 
would now and then pipe up and endeavor to 
sing a note louder than Dicky^s flute. 

A few days after the return of the sled, when 
the snow had all disappeared, Millicent went 
down to the willow tree and climbed up to her 
playhouse. There were a good many broken 
twigs on the floor, and it had a deserted and 
forsaken look. 

Never mind,’^ said Millicent aloud, just as 
if the playhouse would understand. “ I’ll get a 
broom and sweep you out, and pretty soon ’twill 
be summer again,” and she clambered down 
from the tree, and was soon back with the 
broom and busily at work putting the little 
place in order. The sun shone warmly down 
through the leafless branches ; a sturdy yellow- 
hammer called loudly from the big maple, and, 
as Millicent looked off* toward the marshes, she 
could see a flock of white gulls circling over the 
river. 

'' There’s going to be rain,” she said wisely. 

When the gulls come in like that it means 


i6o 


A LITTLE MAID 


rain/^ for children living in country places learn 
to watch the birds and the growing things and 
to be weather wise/’ 

Milly I Milly I Mayn’t Prue and I come 
up?” Dicky called from below. 

Yes, and bring Caroline Rosalind,” re- 
sponded Millicent ; and for an hour or two the 
children played happily. 

“ Listen ! ” little Prue exclaimed suddenly, 
leaning over the railing. Oh, Millicent I 
Dicky I Here’s Blacky 1 ” she exclaimed, lean- 
ing so far over the railing in her excitement 
that she nearly lost her balance. 

But neither Millicent nor Dicky paid any at- 
tention to little Prue ; for they, too, had heard 
the familiar bark and were both scrambling 
down. 

See, — he must have chewed off the rope he 
was tied with I ” said Millicent, for a frayed rope 
end hung from Blacky’s neck. 

He’s awfully thin,” declared Dicky. I’ll 
bet that soldier man hasn’t been good to him.” 

Blacky was evidently glad to find himself 
again in the sunny kitchen, and quite forgot 
his former troubles with Puss until she gave 
him a smart slap with her paw. He ran about 


OF BUNKER HILL i6i 

the room as if to say how happy he was to find 
himself there, and had an excellent appetite for 
the food Mrs. Austin gave him. 

The soldier man shan’t take him away 
again,” declared Dicky valiantly. 

“ No, indeed, he shan’t,” agreed Millicent. 
I’ll carry Blacky off and hide him if that sol- 
dier comes again for him.” 

A week passed, and Blacky’s owner did not 
appear ; and the children had begun to feel safe 
in their new possession of the little dog, when 
one morning there was the sound of a horse’s 
hoofs and Sammy Crafts, mounted on his fa- 
ther’s big farm horse, galloped into the yard. He 
slid down from the saddle and came running 
into the house. 

I say, excuse me,” and Sammy pulled off 
his cap and made his polite bow to Mrs. Austin ; 

there are two English soldiers riding this way 
from the square. They asked me if I had seen 
a black spaniel, and I said ^ No,’ and then one 
of the men laughed and said, ' Oh, he’s back 
with those children, all right.’ So I knew ’twas 
Blacky,” and Sammy stopped, quite out of 
breath. 

While he was speaking Millicent had caught 


i 62 


A LITTLE MAID 


up her mother’s gray shawl and was now wrap- 
ping it about the little dog ; and with a warning 
word to Dicky and Prue, Don’t you say one 
word,” she had opened the door and run out. 

“ I mustn’t stay, or they’ll think I’ve warned 
you,” declared Sammy, running back to the 
yard and mounting the big horse ; and in a mo- 
ment he was out of the yard and going toward 
home at a good pace. 

“ Now, Dicky,” said Mrs. Austin, who had not 
spoken, get some cracked corn and water for 
Master Sparrow ; and you, Prue, can bring me a 
few kindlings from the shed. ’Tis time to think 
of dinner.” 

‘‘ Mother, will the man take our Blacky ? ” 
demanded Dicky, almost ready to cry. 

“ Richard, do as I tell you. If the English 
soldier comes here do not speak one word about 
the dog. Nor you, either. Prudence,” said Mrs. 
Austin, starting toward the pantry. 

The twins looked at each other in amazement. 

Richard I ” Prudence ! ” They could hardly 
remember that their mother had ever before 
called them by their full names ; and they had 
hardly recovered from their surprise when there 
was a sharp rap at the front door. 


OF BUNKER HILL 163 

** Remember/^ cautioned Mrs. Austin in a low 
tone, as she turned to go to the door. 

“ I must be civil,'’ she said to herself, as she 
drew the bolt. 

“I have to ask your pardon," sounded a 
friendly voice, and Mrs. Austin found herself 
greeting a smiling, friendly-faced man ; “ my 
name is Francis, and I am told this is where 
Miss Millicent Austin, a little friend of mine, 
lives," and the big soldier, holding his hat in 
his hand, stood waiting her answer. 

“Why, yes, indeed. Will you not come in? 
We have to thank you for your kindness to our 
little girl." 

“ I can stop but a moment," the soldier an- 
swered, “ but I thought rd like well to see the 
little maid again," and he followed Mrs. Austin 
through the hallway. 

“ This is Soldier Francis, children, who took 
such good care of Millicent when she went to 
Boston," said Mrs. Austin, and the tall soldier 
shook hands with the somewhat frightened 
children. 

“ Millicent will be sorry not to see you," said 
Mrs. Austin, “ and my husband is not at home. 
He, too, would have welcomed you." 


A LITTLE MAID 


164 

The soldier was evidently disappointed not to 
see Milly. He admired Master Sparrow, praised 
Dicky for making so fine a cage for the bird, 
and then said that he must go. 

Tell the little maid that she did me a good 
service in coming to Boston,” he said as he stood 
outside the door, and that I am indeed sorry 
not to see her again,” and with a pleasant good- 
bye, he strode down the path to the gate where 
his companion was waiting. 

“ Look, mother I There is Blacky^s master 
at the gate,” whispered Dicky, as he ran to the 
door ; “ and, see, they are riding off without a 
word about Blacky.” 

Tis some kind plan of Soldier Francis^ this 
visit,” said Mrs. Austin, as she went back to the 
kitchen. “ I doubt not but that he knew well 
the little dog had found its way back here, and 
was in good hands.” 

“ Well, your dog is not there, Jackson,” said 
Francis as he mounted his horse. The chil- 
dren had nothing to say of the dog. Now, I 
tell you what, Jackson, Fll buy your dog. I’ll 
give you ten shillings, and if he’s ever found he 
is my dog ; and if he has really disappeared, 
why, then you are ten shillings the better ofif.” 


OF BUNKER HILL 165 

His companion looked at him sharply. 
“ You are as ready as a Yankee to take a 
chance/^ he responded, ** but give me your 
money. The dog never appreciated all I did 
for him. You are sure you did not hear any 
news of the dog ? And he counted the money 
that Soldier Francis handed him. 

“Of course I'm sure. I saw naught of the 
dog. But now that he is my property I'm go- 
ing back to tell those children that if he does 
come this way to take care of him for me," said 
Francis, and turning his horse he galloped back 
to the Austins. 

As Soldier Francis drew rein at the Austins' 
gate he heard some one call his name in a sur- 
prised, half-frightened voice. But, looking 
about, he could not see any one. 

“ I'm up in the tree ; right over your head," 
called Millicent. 

“ Well, well, little maid. Come down, and 
do not fear to bring the little dog with you. 
For I have come to say that the spaniel is 
yours. You need never fear that any one can 
take him from you." 

In a moment Milly was standing beside him, 
holding Blacky closely in her arms. 


i66 


A LITTLE MAID 


** Truly ? she questioned eagerly. 

Francis nodded. Truly/’ he said. I 
bought the dog from Jackson ; and I’ll be 
obliged to you if you’ll take him. I cannot 
bother with him.” 

Oh 1 I’m so glad. But you must come and 
tell mother,” responded Millicent. “ There she 
comes now,” she added quickly, for Mrs. Austin 
was hurrying down the path. 

Blacky is my very own,” called Millicent 
happily ; and Soldier Francis explained. 

Mrs. Austin looked at the big soldier very 
kindly as she thanked him. We shall always 
think of you as our good friend, even if you 
must fight against the rights of Americans.” 

For a moment Soldier Francis did not speak. 
He had come to realize that the American people 
were ready to give all that they had in defense 
of the justice of their cause. 

You will come again, won’t you?” said Milly, 
as he mounted his horse. 

“ Perhaps I shall, when all this trouble is 
over,” he answered gravely, and raising his cap, 
galloped away toward the ferry. 

When Mr. Austin returned from Cambridge, 
the children were all eager to tell him about 


OF BUNKER HILL 167 

their visitors, and of the wonderful fact that now 
Blacky was really and truly their very own. 

“ Francis is a good fellow,” Mr. Austin de- 
clared. Who knows, he may yet become a 
good American citizen ! But these English 
soldiers come about Charles Town too often,” 
he added gravely. “ I fear they have knowl- 
edge of the American stores and provisions in 
Concord, and maybe are planning to capture 
them.” 

“How would you children like to go to Ded- 
ham, and visit your Uncle Barclay ? ” Mr. Austin 
asked as they gathered at the supper table that 
night ; for he was uneasy over the news he had 
that day heard at Cambridge, and had begun to 
feel that his family might not be safe in their 
own home. 

“ I donT want to go,” Milly answered her 
father’s question promptly ; for a visit to Ded- 
ham meant staying in the same house with her 
Cousin Mary, and Millicent was sure that there 
would be little happiness in that. 

“ Might we take Blacky and Master Spar- 
row?” questioned Dicky anxiously, while little 
Prue, apparently not at all concerned by the 
suggestion, ate her bread and milk. 


i68 


A LITTLE MAID 


Why, yes ; I do not think we should leave 
any live creature behind us which needed care,” 
answered his father. 

“ Then let’s go,” said Dicky. ’Twould be 
fun.” 

But Millicent did not think it would be fun ; 
and, as she heard her mother agree that, when 
spring came, it might be wise to go to Uncle 
Barclay’s in Dedham, she began to feel very 
unhappy, and thought to herself that she 
wished she could send all the English sol- 
diers back to their own country. I’m sure 
they’d like to go,” she thought, remembering 
Soldier Francis’ kindly smile. 


CHAPTER XV 


THE JOURNEY TO DEDHAM 

There were very few days of .good coasting 
that February, and the Austin children did not 
go to Bunker Hill again. Early in the month 
they heard that Polly Danforth had gone to 
Boston ; or, rather, that Mr. Danforth had 
moved his family there. 

Millicent felt very sorry that she could not 
have seen Polly again ; especially as now it had 
been settled by Mr. and Mrs. Austin that Mrs. 
Austin and the children should go to Dedham 
as soon as the roads should be in good condition 
for traveling. 

March came, with fierce winds and driving 
rains, shutting the children indoors, and it was 
now that Blacky proved himself the best of good 
company. The big sitting-room was a fine place 
for play, and Millicent, remembering what her 
father had told her about Jongleurs,^^ began to 
imitate the sparrow’s song, with such good suc- 
cess that Mrs. Austin, busy in the neighboring 
169 


A LITTLE MAID 


170 

rooms, would smile to herself when she discov- 
ered that she could not distinguish which was 
the bird’s or which was Millicent’s note. 

‘‘ I do wish we had a tame robin,” said Milli- 
cent one March morning. “ I know I could sing 
like a robin. Isn’t it time for robins, mother? ” 

“ Where are your eyes and ears, Milly ? There 
have been robins about the willow tree a number 
of times,” replied Mrs. Austin. “ See I There is 
one on the path this minute I ” and Mrs. Austin 
pointed to a bird whose sharp eyes were turned 
toward the house. 

“ He looks as if he knew we were talking 
about him,” whispered Dicky. I wish I could 
catch him. I’d make a fine cage for him.” 

‘‘ You could never make him as happy as he 
is now.” 

There I He’s coming right up to the house,” 
said Millicent. I’m going to put some corn on 
the window sill.” 

Put some crumbs of corn-cake ; he’ll like 
that better,” suggested her mother. 

But Sir Robin was easily alarmed, and flew off 
to the willow tree. It was several days before 
he made up his mind that it would really be 
safe to light on the window sill ; but at last he 


OF BUNKER HILL 


171 

did venture, and within a week he was coming 
every morning and Millicent learned to imitate 
his note. 

But Millicent was now anxious to learn the 
songs of other birds ; and, as the days grew 
warmer, she often started off alone through the 
fields, stopping often by the stone walls and 
fences to listen quietly for the note of some 
singing bird. 

You will find many more birds in Dedham 
than Charles Town. There are more trees there, 
and it is a more quiet place,^^ her father said one 
afternoon when he met Millicent coming through 
the field which sloped to the old boat-yard. 

Then we are really going ? said Milly, in 
so mournful a tone that her father looked down 
at her anxiously. 

Why, yes, my dear ; and I like sending you 
away as little as you like going, he replied 
soberly, “ but you will like to see your Grand- 
mother Barclay. Remember, she has had to 
leave her home. You must be a good child, 
Millicent ; I canT go with you, you know.’^ 

Oh, father I and Millicent stood quite still, 
and looked up into his face. “ Then we won't 
go. Not if you don't I " 


A LITTLE MAID 


172 

A little smile crept about her father’s lips. 
I can’t go,” he answered, and all at once Milli- 
cent’s thoughts flew back to her birthday, and 
she remembered what her mother had said about 
loyal Americans ” : that a loyal American ” 
did not fear danger when it was in defense of his 
country. 

“ You are a loyal American, aren’t you, 
father?” she said, lifting a smiling face; *^just 
like Dr. Joseph Warren.” 

Well, I couldn’t be anything better than 
that, could I ? And no v I’ll say good-bye for 
a whole week, for I hav^ to be in camp.” 

After this little talk ^vith her father Millicent 
said nothing against the proposed visit to Ded- 
ham. 

Mrs. Crafts listened to Milly’s bird songs 
with as much pleasure as did Dicky and little 
Prue. I declare to it, your Grandmother Bar- 
clay will be proud indeed when she hears you,” 
she said admiringly ; and this made the little 
girl almost eager for the time to come when 
they would start for Dedham. 

The Crafts had decided that they would not 
leave home. 

‘‘ Mr. Crafts is with his company, and if any 


OF BUNKER HILL 


173 

trouble does come Sammy’s sure to think that 
he and his drum would save all Massachusetts ; 
and so there wouldn’t be anybody but me to go ; 
and I guess I could manage to stay safe enough 
in my own house,” declared the smiling little 
woman. Of course with children like yours 
’tis best not to stay here,” she added. 

Milly listened eagerly to all that Mrs. Crafts 
said. The children were very fond of Sammy’s 
mother. 

While the children were talking of birds Mrs. 
Austin told Mrs. Crafts more of the plan for re- 
moving to Dedham. 

’Twill be only for a visit, I trust,” she said, 
and, since you are remaining in your own home, 
perhaps you’ll let us know if all goes well here ? ” 

“ Of course I will, and give you a good wel- 
come on your return. ’Tis to be hoped that the 
king will change his mind, for Americans wish 
him well, and have no mind to fight unless 
driven to it,” said Mrs. Crafts. 

’Tis not fair to shut up Boston Harbor,” 
reponded Mrs. Austin. I fear greatly that 
trouble is near. Provisions are scarce indeed.” 

“ We’ll have an eye on your place here while 
you’re away,” repeated Mrs. Crafts, and like 


A LITTLE MAID 


174 

as not they’ll listen to Samuel Adams and Dr. 
Warren, and all these days of worry end in 
peace.” 

1 hope so, indeed,” replied Mrs. Austin. 

It was a bright April morning when they 
started on their journey. They were going in 
the chaise, and Mr. Austin was to accompany 
them on horseback for a part of the distance. 
All their preparations were completed on the 
previous day. The cow had been driven to Mr. 
Crafts’ pasture ; Puss was to stay with Mrs. 
Crafts, and the flock of hens also ; Blacky would 
ride in the chaise, and Dicky had come to a de- 
cision about Master Sparrow which meant that 
the little bird was to have a chance for freedom 
if it proved that his wings could carry him. 

For several days Dicky had watched the 
bird with a very serious look in his blue eyes. 
At last he made up his mind that Master Spar- 
row should have a chance for freedom and hap- 
piness ; that the cage door should be opened, 
and if it proved that the bird could fly, why, 
then Dicky would give him up. 

When he had quite made up his mind he told 
Millicent, and was surprised at her exclamation 
of approval. 


OF BUNKER HILL 


175 

“ That is splendid, Dicky. I guess father will 
be proud of you.’^ 

But Tm not going to open the cage door 
until the very morning we start for Dedham,'^ 
Dicky had replied ; and now, while his father 
was harnessing Goldy into the chaise, Dicky 
brought the cage into the yard. 

The children all felt rather sad at the thought 
of giving up the little bird. 

“ Perhaps he won't want to fly away," said 
Prue hopefully. 

I guess Master Sparrow knows that an 
American bird must be free," Mrs. Austin said 
laughingly. 

Come, father, and watch Master Sparrow," 
Millicent called ; and Mr. Austin, leading 
Goldy " by the bridle-rein, came across the 
yard and stood near Millicent and her mother. 

There I Pm going to open the door now I " 
announced Dicky. 

For a moment the sparrow looked at the 
opening a little doubtfully ; then he hopped 
toward it, paused for a moment, turning his 
head this way and that, and then, suddenly, he 
was in the air, and in a moment was perched on 
the top of the lilac bush. 


176 A LITTLE MAID 

Oh ! exclaimed little Prue, almost ready to 

cry. 

“ His wing is all right. Listen, he is thank- 
ing you, Dicky, said Mrs. Austin, for the spar- 
row was singing as if he really was more happy 
than any bird had ever been before. The chil- 
dren had never heard their little visitor sing 
like that. Then there was a flash of brown 
wings, and Master Sparrow was gone. 

Without a word Dicky picked up the empty 
cage and carried it into the house. When he 
came out Millicent was quite sure that Dicky 
had been crying, and little Prue had very little 
to say until they were well on their journey. 

Mr. Austin brought out the small leather 
trunk and strapped it securely on the back of 
the chaise ; and then a number of boxes and 
packages were put carefully under the wide seat. 

It seemed to Millicent that her mother and 
father were very grave and silent as they drove 
away from the pleasant stone house and the big 
willow tree. 

They had made an early start, and the sun 
was only an hour high. The marshes were put- 
ting on the delicate green of early spring, and 
the fields were green along by the walls and 


OF BUNKER HILL 


177 

fences. There were many birds flying about, 
and Prue began to be hopeful that perhaps 
Master Sparrow would follow them. A soft air 
came over the fields, and it seemed that no 
harm could ever come to so quiet and beautiful 
a scene. Yet Mr. Austin had heard that on the 
other side of the river General Gage was already 
preparing his troops to cross the stream and 
journey to Concord to secure the cannon and 
provisions of the American troops. He did not 
know how soon this attempt might be made ; 
but he knew the time had come for his wife and 
children to go to a place of greater safety, as it 
was more than likely that the English troops 
would march through Charles Town if they 
went to Concord. 

When they had left Cambridge far behind 
them, and were riding along a quiet road shaded 
by tall elms, Mr. Austin said that it was time 
for him to turn back. 

The rest of your way leads through a quiet, 
peaceful country,’’ he said ; I’ll see you soon, 
never fear,” and although her father was smil- 
ing, as he dismounted and came close to the 
chaise to bid them good-bye, Millicent thought 
that, in some way she could not explain to her- 


A LITTLE MAID 


178 

self, he was worried and sad to let them go. 
She felt ready to cry ; but her mother was smil- 
ing, so Millicent smiled, and they all stood by 
the chaise and watched Mr. Austin as he rode 
swiftly back over the road they had just traveled. 
It was to be many weeks before they saw him 
again. 

As they continued their journey Blacky ran 
along beside the chaise, but when they came to 
a steep hill he began to hold up his lame paw 
as if to say he was tired. The children all got 
out of the chaise, and Millicent lifted Blacky in 
beside her mother. 

We’ll walk up the hill, mother,’’ she said. 

“ Where’s your drum, Milly ? ” Dicky 
asked. 

‘'Safe under the seat of the chaise. You 
didn’t think I’d forget my drum, did you?” 
answered Millicent. 

“ Father gave me his flute this morning,” 
said Dick}^ “It’s in my pocket. He said it 
was mine. But I’ll give it back if he wants it 
when we get home.” 

From the top of the hill they could look back 
toward Boston and see the glimmer of the waters 
of the Charles. In the other direction lay thick 


OF BUNKER HILL 


179 

woods, with here and there cleared fields and 
pleasant homes. 

We are half-way now,” said Mrs. Austin, 
“ and I guess we are all ready for a bite to eat,” 
and she guided the sorrel horse to the side of the 
road, and took out the lunch basket. 

“ Mother I what’s that noise ? ” Millicent 
asked, and they all stood listening. 

“ I think it must be mounted soldiers,” Mrs. 
Austin replied in a whisper. “ They are coming 
up the other slope of the hill. Get back into 
the chaise, quickly ! And do not let Blacky 
bark.” 

They could now hear the regular beat of 
horses’ hoofs and the rattle and clink of 
metal. 

What shall we do, mother ? Are you fright- 
ened ? ” whispered Millicent. 

“ No, indeed. At the worst it is a party of 
English soldiers, and I have yet to hear of their 
hurting women or children.” 

But perhaps they won’t let us go on?” said 
Millicent. 

Mrs. Austin had not thought of that possi- 
bility ; and now it was too late to think of any 
plan to escape meeting them. 


i8o 


A LITTLE MAID 


“ Go on, Goldy/' said Mrs. Austin, and the 
pretty sorrel trotted carefully down the hill. 
Milly had pushed Blacky behind her mother’s 
skirts, with a warning word to lie still.” 

As the soldiers reached the chaise they drew 
rein ; and, touching his hat, the officer in ad- 
vance called sharply, Stop your horse, madam,” 
and Mrs. Austin quickly drew rein. 

“ Good-morning, gentlemen,” she said pleas- 
antly, leaning out from the chaise. I am Mrs. 
Austin, and these are my three children ; and 
we are going to Dedham to stay until you Eng- 
lishmen sail back to your own country.” 

And may you have but a short and pleasant 
visit, madam,” responded the officer smilingly ; 
and with a word to the others, he again touched 
his hat to Mrs. Austin, and the little troop gal- 
loped by. 

Mrs. Austin drew a long breath of relief. ** I 
like not their spying about the towns in this 
fashion,” she said. 

Mother I Mother ! ” Millicent’s voice was 
a frightened whisper, and her mother looked 
down at her in surprise. “Oh, mother I One 
of those men was Blacky’s master. See how 
Blacky is trembling and shaking,” and she drew 


OF BUNKER HILL i8i 

the little dog out and held him closely. You 
don't suppose he'll come back, do you? " 

No ; they were evidently in a hurry. We'll 
stop and eat our luncheon a little further on," 
replied Mrs. Austin ; and a little later when 
they came to where a wood-road opened from 
the highway, Mrs. Austin turned and drove in 
a short distance, so that no traveler passing 
along the road would see them. 

The wood-road opened into a little clearing 
where the sun shone warmly down. 

This is just the place for Goldy to rest," 
said Mrs. Austin, “ and there are some oats for 
him to nibble, as well as something for us to 
eat." 

The bottle of cool milk, the squares of corn- 
cake, and the molasses cookies, with the hard- 
boiled eggs, made a satisfying luncheon. 

Dicky and Prue discovered violets blossoming 
around some of the stumps, and decided to 
gather a bunch to take to their Grandmother 
Barclay. 

Couldn't we make a little basket ? " sug- 
gested Millicent. 

“ Of course we could ; take this knife and cut 
a few of those little willow sprouts, Millicent ; 


i 82 


A LITTLE MAID 


and Dicky, you and Prue look along the edge 
of the woods there and see if you can't find 
some damp moss." 

Millicent soon returned with a handful of 
willow shoots, and in a few moments Mrs. 
Austin had twisted and woven them into a 
dainty little basket. Dicky and Prue brought 
back handfuls of fresh green moss and delicate 
ferns, and when the violets were carefully put 
in the moss, and covered with the ferns, the 
children were sure that their grandmother 
would find the fiowers fresh and fragrant. 

They reached Dedham in the early afternoon ; 
and as they came in sight of Mr. Barclay’s house 
Millicent exclaimed: ''Why, it is just exactly 
like Grandmother Barclay’s house I ’’ 

And indeed it had been built as much like 
her Uncle Barclay’s Roxbury home as possible ; 
the driveway was shaded with elms which 
seemed to Millicent exactly like the Roxbury 
trees. Then there were the terraces, with stone 
steps leading up to the front door ; and when 
Christopher came running to welcome them, 
and Grandma Barclay appeared on the terrace, 
the children could hardly believe they were not 
in Roxbury. 


OF BUNKER HILL 183 

Then Mary came running to welcome her 
cousins, closely followed by her mother ; and 
very soon Millicent was going up the broad 
stairway with Mary's arm about her shoulders, 
and they were talking happily together as 
though nothing unpleasant had ever happened 
between them. 

This is the room where you and your mother 
will sleep, and here’s a trundle-bed for little 
Prue,” said Mary, leading the way into one of 
the big, square front rooms. And Dicky is to 
have this little room right behind it.” 

At that moment there was a wild scrambling 
on the stairs, a series of joyful barks, followed 
by the loud calls of Christopher from the ter- 
race, and Blacky rushed into the room. 

“ Oh, it’s my Blacky ! ” exclaimed Millicent. 
** I had forgotten all about him.” 

A dog I A black dog I ” whispered Mary ; 
and Millicent turned to see her cousin hurrying 
toward the door. 

“ Yes; isn’t he lovely? He is my very own 
dog,” responded Millicent. 

“ Call Christopher to take him to the stable,” 
said Mary sharply. I hate dogs. Christo- 
pher ! Christopher I ” she called. 


1 84 A LITTLE MAID 

For a moment Millicent did not know what 
to do. Her first instinct was to defy Mary, and 
declare that Blacky should not be sent off to the 
stable. Then she remembered that she was 
Mary’s guest, and that no one had asked Blacky 
to come. So when the good-natured Christopher 
stood in the doorway, she said : Oh, Chris- 
topher. This is my dear Blacky ; you’ll take 
good care of him, won’t you ? ” 

’Deed I will, missy. I’ll be right pleased 
to have his company,” replied Chris ; and Blacky 
seemed quite ready to make friends with him. 

Mary still kept her place on the further side 
of the room. 

“ I’m afraid of dogs,” she said, looking at Mil- 
licent reproachfully. “ What made you bring 
him here? He mustn’t ever come into the 
house again.” 

Millicent stood for a moment looking down 
at the floor. She wished they were all back in 
their own home. At that moment Millicent’s 
mother and Grandma Barclay came into the 
room, closely followed by Dicky, little Prue, 
and Mary’s mother, Aunt Ann,” and no more 
was said about Blacky. Millicent kept close to 
her mother’s side for the rest of the day, and 


OF BUNKER HILL 185 

found a chance to tell her that Mary had said 
Blacky must not come in the house. 

Never mind, dear ; say nothing about it to 
any one. Perhaps your cousin will change her 
mind,” said Mrs. Austin. “ You can run out 
to the stable and see him a few minutes after 
supper.” 


CHAPTER XVI 
mart’s surprise 


When Millicent awoke the next morning 
she found that her mother had already arisen. 
Little Prue was sleeping soundly in her comfort- 
able trundle-bed. As Millicent lay looking 
about the big chamber and thinking of all the 
events of the past few days she heard a bird’s 
song, and sat up in bed and looked eagerly 
toward the eastern window near which grew the 
branches of an apple tree. ‘‘ I do believe that is 
an oriole,” she whispered to herself ; and slipping 
out of bed she ran to the window and looked out 
just in time to catch a glimpse of two golden- 
winged birds as they darted off from the apple 
tree’s topmost bough. 

Millicent whistled the musical notes softly to 
herself. Perhaps they are building a nest in 
the tree, and will come back,” she thought hope- 
fully. 

She helped Prue dress, and called Dicky, and 
186 


OF BUNKER HILL 187 

when their mother came to call them to break- 
fast they were all quite ready. 

The others were in the dining-room, and 
Grandma Barclay called Millicent to sit beside 
her. 

“ Your mother tells me you can play on the 
drum,” she said, smiling down at her little 
namesake, ** and that Dicky is learning to play 
the flute.” 

Dicky can play splendidly,” announced Prue, 
quite forgetting her dish of porridge in her anx- 
iety to have justice done to Dicky ^s attainments. 

I am sure he can,” said Aunt Ann pleasantly ; 
and Mary asked eagerly where Millicent got her 
drum, and who taught her to play. Mary was 
very eager to hear her cousins play, but her 
mother said that morning was not a good time 
for music ; that they would wait a day or two and 
perhaps ask some of their neighbors to come in for 
an evening and hear the drum and flute players. 

''Why can’t Blacky come into the house?” 
asked Dicky. " He always used to sleep in the 
kitchen at home.” 

Mary’s face flushed uncomfortably, and she 
looked toward her mother. But it was her 
grandmother who answered Dicky’s question : 


i88 


A LITTLE MAID 


“ Your Cousin Mary isn't acquainted with 
dogs, and so she thinks they are like lions and 
wolves, and is afraid of them. Isn’t that so, 
Mary?” 

Mary nodded her head. Her eyes were fixed 
on her plate, for she felt sure that her cousins all 
despised her for being afraid of a little dog like 
Blacky. 

Are you afraid of kittens. Cousin Mary ? ” 
Prue asked in so serious a tone that they all 
smiled, and before Mary could answer Millicent 
said : 

Molly will like Blacky when they are ac- 
quainted. He can do a little dance, and march, 
and shake hands.” 

'' Truly ? Can he, truly ? ” exclaimed Mary. 
** I’d like to see him.” 

So that before breakfast was over the children 
were friendly again, and Mary was quite willing 
to go with her cousins to the stable to make 
Blacky a visit, and even ventured to pat his silky 
head. That afternoon the little dog was allowed 
to come into the house, and proved himself so 
polite and friendly a visitor that he did not re- 
turn to the stable. 

Nothing was said about the return of the brown 


OF BUNKER HILL 189 

horses to Grandma Barclay until the Austins 
had been in Dedham for several days ; then, one 
afternoon when “ Milly and '' Molly,'' as they 
now constantly called each other, were walking 
with their grandmother she said to Millicent : 

My dear child, it was very brave of you to 
go to Boston and try to undo your mischief ; and 
grandma quite forgives you for all the trouble," 
and she rested her hand on Milly's shoulder. 

Milly felt her face flush, and was almost 
ready to cry. She felt it was very hard that 
Mary, who had been the one to suggest and carry 
out the mischief, should not have had a word of 
blame ; while she, Millicent, whose birthday had 
been spoiled, and who had had to suffer all the 
trouble, was always referred to as mischie- 
vous." 

Molly walked along beside her cousin without 
speaking. She noticed Milly's flushed face, and 
for a moment quite expected to hear Milly de- 
clare that it was Molly who had suggested letting 
the horses loose, and who had afterward left her 
alone in the woods. Molly knew that was what 
she would do if she had been unfairly blamed. 

Grandmother Barclay seemed a little disap- 
pointed at Milly's silence ; but no more was said 


A LITTLE MAID 


190 

about the affair, and grandma began to be rather 
sorry that she had spoken about it, for Milly and 
Molly were both very silent during the walk. 

When they returned to the house Grandma 
Barclay went indoors and left the two little girls 
on the terrace. 

See, Milly, the lilac trees are nearly leaved 
out, and the crocuses are all blossomed,^’ said 
Molly, pointing toward the end of the sunny 
terrace. Millicent made no response ; she was 
quite sure that if she tried to answer she would 
cry. Suddenly she felt Mary’s hands grasping 
her shoulders, and shaking her vigorously. 

“ Milly Austin, why didn’t you tell grand- 
mother the truth about her old horses ? Why 
didn^t you tell her that I was the one who 
planned the whole thing? And that I made 
you do as I said. 1 s’pose you think you’re a 
lot better than I am because you’ve taken all the 
blame,” and Molly let go her grasp on Milly’s 
shoulders so suddenly that Millicent staggered, 
lost her balance, and fell from the terrace. 

For a moment Mary stood frightened and not 
knowing what to do, for Milly was lying quite 
still on the soft earth. “ Milly I Milly I ” she 
exclaimed, running down the steps ; but by the 


OF BUNKER HILL 


191 

time she reached her cousin, Milly was sitting up. 
She had been slightly stunned, but she was not 
hurt. 

‘‘ I didn't mean to, Milly I Honest, I didn't 
mean to push you off the terrace," declared 
Mary, kneeling beside her cousin, and putting 
her arm about Milly. 

I know you didn’t," answered Millicent, but 
her voice was rather faint, and Mary began to 
be frightened and to call Mother ! Aunt Pru- 
dence ! Grandma I " at the top of her voice, and 
in a moment the three ladies came running from 
the house toward the girls. 

'' Milly fell off the terrace," Mary began, and 
then suddenly she exclaimed : No, she didn’t 
fall ! I was shaking her, and when I let go she 
stumbled and fell over. It’s my fault if she’s 
hurt," and Mary began to cry. 

'' I'm not hurt much. I just feel funny," 
said Millicent, as her mother and aunt helped 
her to stand up. Mary didn’t mean to," she 
added. 

*'But what were you shaking Milly for?" 
questioned Mrs. Barclay. 

Mary had jumped up and now stood facing 
the others. 


A LITTLE MAID 


192 

I shook her because I was angry/^ she an- 
swered, and turning ran up the steps into the 
house, leaving the others to follow more 
slowly. 

Mrs. Barclay looked anxious and troubled 
when neither Millicent nor Mary would give any 
reason for Mary’s outburst ; and, remembering 
the birthday trouble, Grandma Barclay said to 
herself that she feared that Millicent was a troub- 
lesome child. 

It had been decided that on that evening 
Dicky, Millicent and Blacky should give what 
Millicent called a “ Jongleur Entertainment,” 
and Mary’s mother had invited several of her 
neighbors to come to hear them. As Millicent 
was not really hurt by her tumble off the ter- 
race, the simple preparations were made, and 
soon after supper the little group of neighbors 
arrived ; and when Milly with her drum, fol- 
lowed by Dicky and Blacky, entered the big 
sitting-room they found themselves facing a 
number of pleasant people whom they had 
never before seen. Mary kept very close to her 
mother, and, although Millicent tried to catch 
her cousin’s eye, Mary would not look toward 
her. 


OF BUNKER HILL 


193 

The Cadet^s March/’ with Blacky doing his 
clever best, was enthusiastically applauded. 
Then Dicky played the piece his father had 
taught him on the flute. And then he made 
his best bow, Milly made her curtsy, and they 
went to sit beside Grandmother Barclay. 

‘‘ But, Millicent, you haven’t been a ‘Jongleur ’ 
at all,” Dicky declared. “ She can whistle like 
a robin, and like a sparrow,” he announced 
proudly, turning to the little company. 

“ Can she, indeed ? Well, we must surely hear 
her,” said Mary’s mother ; and Milly was quite 
ready to try, and in a moment the room seemed 
filled with the glad song of Master Sparrow, and 
then the robin’s spring song was heard. 

“ Why, that is the best of all,” said Mary, 
quite forgetting all the day’s trouble, and she 
and Milly smiled happily at each other. 

“ Now, Mary, you and I must sing our song,” 
said grandmother, “ and as our neighbors all 
know it they must sing with us.” 

“ The ‘ Broom Song ’ ? ” questioned one of the 
visitors. 

“ Yes ; let me see I ” and grandma hummed a 
gay note or two, and then she and Mary began 
singing : 


A LITTLE MAID 


194 

“ The broom-man maketh his living most sweet 
By carrying brooms from street to street. 

Now who would desire a pleasanter thing 
Than all the day long to do nothing but sing? 

Every one joined in singing the last two 
lines, except the Austins, who listened with de- 
light to the gay lilt of the song, and Millicent 
thought the last verse even better than the first : 

Who liveth so merry, and maketh such sport, 

As those that be of the poorer sort ? 

The poorer sort, wheresoever they be. 

They gather together by two and three. 

And thus do they sing right merrily. 

Then Mrs. Barclay led the way to the dining- 
room and there were custards and cakes, and 
delicious cocoa. Dicky and little Prue thought 
it the most wonderful evening of their short 
lives, as indeed it was. 

As the guests said good-night each one had a 
word of praise for Millicent^s bird notes, so that 
she forgot for the time the shadow of Mary^s 
deceit. 

As they all went up-stairs to bed Mary waited 
for Millicent and whispered : You're going to 
have a surprise to-morrow," and vanished before 
Milly could make any response. 


OF BUNKER HILL 


195 

Oh, dear,^^ Millicent thought, I wish Molly 
would let me alone,” for she felt quite sure that 
any surprise ” in which her cousin had a hand 
meant more trouble. 

Milly woke very early the next morning, and 
heard the early notes of the orioles. As she lay 
listening to them she was sure that there was a 
nest in the apple tree. “ I shall hear them 
every morning, and perhaps see the little 
birds,” she thought, and was comforted by a 
sense of the birds^ nearness. 

Mother, do we have to stay here?” she 
asked, when they were ready for breakfast. 

** Why, yes ; and you must try and be happy 
here, Millicent. Your aunt and grandmother 
want us here. Your Uncle Barclay may not be 
home for weeks ; and you know that father 
feels we are safe here while he is defending our 
country's rights. Try and not vex your Cousin 
Mary,” responded Mrs. Austin. You two girls 
ought to have a happy time together. It is not, 
a time when American children should be easily 
angry at each other.” 

** It wasnT my fault yesterday, mother. 
Truly it wasnT,” said Millicent earnestly. 

** I know that, my child,” replied her mother. 


A LITTLE MAID 


196 

and at this Millicent felt that she could bear a 
good deal of Molly^s unkindness, as long as her 
mother trusted her ; and so she went down-stairs 
smiling happily, and thinking to herself that 
she was a little like Dr. Warren ; for she had 
heard her father say that Dr. Warren could al- 
ways keep his temper. 

Dicky and Prue had already had their break- 
fast, and were running toward the stable with 
Blacky. When Milly and her mother came 
into the dining-room Milly thought to herself 
that Molly's surprise " must have begun ; for 
Molly's mother looked very serious, and Molly 
had evidently been crying. But Grandma Bar- 
clay was smiling. 

''What is it?" asked Mrs. Austin. "What 
has happened ? " 

" Something very fine indeed," declared 
Grandmother Barclay. " Mary has proven her- 
self as brave and truthful as Millicent has been 
brave and unselfish. She has told us all about 
leading Milly into that birthday mischief. I 
am only sorry she did not have the courage to 
do it before." 

Millicent turned eagerly toward her cousin. 

" Oh, Molly I " she exclaimed in such a tone 


OF BUNKER HILL 197 

of delight that the older members of the family 
all smiled. Is this your surprise? 

Molly looked up and seeing her cousin^s radi- 
ant face a little smile crept about her mouth as 
she nodded in reply. 

Well, it’s splendid I ” declared Milly. Now 
we’ll all have a good time.” 


CHAPTER XVII 


A MESSENGER 

Mrs. Austin and the children had been in 
Dedham a week before they received any news 
from Mr. Austin, and then a message came, and 
Sammy Crafts brought it. He came galloping 
up the driveway, and Milly, who was planting 
sweet peas in a sunny garden spot near the drive, 
was the first to see him. 

Oh, Sammy I she called, jumping up and 
quite forgetting the half planted seeds. 

‘‘ Hullo, Milly,^^ and Sammy brought his 
horse to a standstill. Say, Vve had a great 
ride from Charles Town. And what do you 
think ? An English soldier chased me for nearly 
a mile.** 

Milly looked up at the delighted boy admir- 
ingly. 

We met half-a-dozen soldiers on our way,** 
she replied, '' but we weren*t a bit afraid.** 

Sammy dismounted, and now stood holding 
his horse*s bridle. 


198 


OF BUNKER HILL 


199 

“ Your father sent me. I’ve got a letter for 
your mother,” he explained. 

Milly’s face brightened. ** Then let’s hurry 
right up to the house so I can hear what he 
says,” she urged eagerly. 

“ Chris I Oh, Chris I ” she called, and Christo- ' 
pher came running down the drive. ** This is 
our friend Samuel Adams Crafts,” she explained. 

** Will you take care of his horse ? ” 

Yes, indeed, missy,” responded the smiling 
darky, leading the tired horse toward the stable, 
and Milly and Sammy hurried up the drive- 
way. 

** Here come Dicky and Prue,” he said, and in 
a moment the twins were running toward him 
shouting, ** Sammy I Sammy Crafts I ” 

Millicent thought her mother looked anxious 
and troubled as she welcomed Sammy, and took 
the letter he gave her. 

Oh, mother, what does father say ? Does he 
know anything about Master Sparrow ? ” ques- 
tioned Dicky, who was standing very close to 
his mother and looking at her very earnestly. 

Your father is well ; he says nothing of the 
bird. As indeed he has not been home since we 
left,” replied his mother. 


200 


A LITTLE MAID 


So the English are repairing their boats at 
the foot of Boston Common ? ” she asked turn- 
ing to Sammy. 

Yes’m ; and I heard my father say they’ll be 
crossing the Charles before many days on their 
way to try and capture the provisions at Con- 
cord,” replied Sammy. But Dr. Warren keeps 
close watch on them, and there’ll be messengers 
sent to warn the Americans.” 

There may be work for your drum before 
many days, Sammy,” said Mrs. Austin. 

** I shall be ready,” replied the boy, in so seri- 
ous a tone that the other children looked at him 
wonderingly. Sammy was quite ready for the 
excellent luncheon that Mrs. Barclay set before 
him. But he declared that he must stay only 
long enough for the horse to rest. 

“ ’Twill be a clear evening, and I can get home 
in good season,” he said ; and about four o’clock 
in the afternoon he bade them all good-bye and 
rode away, turning in the saddle to wave his 
cap to the group on the terrace. 

A most polite and well-mannered young gen- 
tleman,” declared Grandmother Barclay, as a 
turn in the driveway hid Sammy from view. 

** He tries to act just like Dr. Warren,” said 


OF BUNKER HILL 


201 


Millicent, “ to walk like him, to bow the way 
he does, and everything/^ 

The young doctor is a brave and personable 
man,^^ responded grandma smilingly. 

** Oh I I forgot all about the sweet peas ! ex- 
claimed Millicent, and she and Mary ran down 
to the strip of ground near the driveway where 
Millicent had been at work on Sammy’s arrival. 
Dicky and Prue offered to bring a pail of water 
from the new well to moisten the earth, and in 
a very little while the peas were planted. 

Our mothers are talking about the English 
soldiers,” said Mary as she and Millicent walked 
back to the house together. Do you suppose 
they really will cross the Charles and burn all 
the houses ? ” 

Oh, Molly I They wouldn’t do that I ” ex- 
claimed Millicent. 

Grandmother says they would,” replied Mary 
soberly. But, Milly, don’t feel bad. For this 
is going to be your home now, forever and 
ever I ” declared Mary. 

But Millicent was crying bitterly. She was 
quite sure that no other place except the old 
stone house near the Charles River could ever 
be really home. Nevertheless Mary succeeded 


202 


A LITTLE MAID 


in comforting her. The two cousins had been 
the best of friends ever since Molly^s surprise.^^ 
Molly had been thoroughly ashamed of her de- 
ceit and mischief when she realized that, no 
matter what happened, Millicent did not accuse 
her, but bore all the blame and punishment in 
silence. And Mary had resolved firmly that 
some day she would do some splendid act to 
prove her gratitude to Milly. In the meantime 
she was a very good-natured and unselfish com- 
panion. 

One night, a few days after Sammy’s visit, 
Milly was awakened suddenly by the sound of 
a loud ‘‘ Ho I Awake I Awake I ” followed by 
resounding knockings at the door. 

Mother I Mother ! What is it? ” cried Mil- 
licent ; and in a moment they were both out of 
bed and at the open window. 

They could see a horse, dim and shadowy, 
standing in the driveway, and a dark figure 
hammering on the front door. 

What do you want? What is it?” called 
Mrs. Austin. 

Tis war I The English are marching to 
Concord. Send some one to rouse the town 
that Dedham men may have their share in this. 


OF BUNKER HILL 


203 

Send some one to drum them up. I must go 
on to Medfield/^ and before Mrs. Austin could 
speak the man had mounted his horse and 
was oflF. 

Every one in the house was now aroused. 
Candles were lighted, and Mrs. Austin was re- 
peating the messenger's words. Millicent dressed 
as quickly as possible. At the words: “Send 
some one to drum them up,’^ she had said to 
herself, “I can do that, I can do that,'^ with 
a quick thrill of delight in the hope of aiding in 
the struggle for justice, of which she had heard 
her elders speak so constantly. 

She ran to the closet where her drum was 
kept, swung the strap over her shoulders, picked 
up the drumsticks and in a moment the sharp 
“ Call to Arms echoed through the house. 

“ Mother ! The messenger said to send some 
one to drum up the men ! Let me go ! she 
exclaimed. 

“ Let her go I said Grandma Barclay quickly. 
“ She is ready, and there is not a second to lose. 
Go, child, through the street of the village! 
Lose not a moment,*' and Grandma Barclay 
hurried Millicent down the stairs. “ Chris shall 
follow with a lantern ; stop at every house. Be- 


A LITTLE MAID 


204 

gill your drumming now. Bless you, dear 
child. Your drum may help to save your 
country ! and Madame Barclay stood for a mo- 
ment on the terrace while again Milly^s drum- 
beats echoed through the night, and the little 
figure vanished in the shadows of the avenue. 

The Everetts lived very near, and Israel 
Everett, awakened by the Call to Arms,” fiung 
open his door, and listened to Milly's message. 

“ Go on, child I Go on. I’ll ring the church 
bell and get out the people. Thank heaven for 
your drum,” he said ; and again Milly was alone 
in the night, marching on, and drumming 
valiantly. 

But all at once lanterns were flashing here 
and there. Little groups of men and women 
came hurrying along the road. Suddenly a 
bugle call sounded ; the church bell began to 
ring clamorously. 

You need go no further, dear child,” Mil- 
licent heard her mother speaking close beside 
her. The town is roused. The minutemen^ 
and the veterans who were in the French wars, 
are already gathering in front of the church. 
Come, let us hear the minister ask Heaven to 
bless them,” and Mrs. Austin slipped her arm 


OF BUNKER HILL 


205 

about Milly and drew her toward the church, 
where Reverend William Gordon was already 
standing on the steps, the men waiting before 
him. 

It was now nearly light. The little company 
formed in marching order, and when the women 
and children returned to their homes the town 
was almost without a male inhabitant below the 
age of seventy and above that of sixteen. 

Who was the man who sounded the alarm ? 
Tis to him thanks are due that so little time 
has been lost,^^ said a woman standing near 
Millicent. 

** Did you not know 'twas but a slip of a girl 
who played the drum ? came the quick re- 
sponse. ‘‘ It was the little maid Millicent 
Austin from Charles Town.*' 

Milly felt her mother's clasp on her hand sud- 
denly grow tighter. We'd best go home. See I 
The sun is up," said Mrs. Austin. 

They walked slowly along the pleasant road. 
Birds were singing their delight in a new day. 
There was the fragrance of early spring in the 
soft morning air. Milly walked silently by her 
mother's side. She did not hear the birds, nor 
was she thinking of her own part in the hap- 


2o6 


A LITTLE MAID 


penings of the night just past. She could think 
only of that voice which had sounded through 
the shadowy night ; and over and over she re- 
peated to herself the words : “ Tis war. The 
English are marching toward Concord I 


CHAPTER XVIII 


THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL 

Dicky and Prue were still sound asleep when 
Milly and her mother reached home. Mary 
and her mother were getting breakfast; but 
they were all rather silent as they gathered 
about the table. Mary could hardly eat a 
mouthful. She sat with her eyes fixed admir- 
ingly on her Cousin Milly, and as soon as they 
left the table she drew Milly out to the porch. 

“ It^s the most wonderful thing that ever hap- 
pened I she declared. 

“ The war ? ” questioned Milly. 

** No I There have always been wars. What I 
mean is that nothing as wonderful as a girl 
rousing a town with her drum ever happened be- 
fore. Won^t your father be proud ! ” 

** I guess I^m sleepy, Milly answered a little 
dully, *‘for I can^t seem to think about any- 
thing.'^ 

** Of course you are sleepy, agreed Mary ; and 
207 


2o8 a little maid 

Milly was quite willing to go up-stairs and to 
bed. 

It was late that afternoon when a tired messen- 
ger came with the triumphant news that the 
British had been turned back, and the Ameri- 
cans were driving them toward Boston. 

Tis the best of good news,’^ declared Madame 
Barclay enthusiastically. And now they were 
all eager to be assured of the safety of those they 
loved who had helped defend American rights, 
and on the second morning this good news was 
brought by Sammy Crafts, whose tired horse 
plodded slowly up the avenue. 

Sammy did not seem like a boy this morning. 
His face was grave ; he spoke soberly. He had 
been one of the drummers at Lexington, and 
he had seen the battle on Lexington Common. 
They all listened eagerly as Sammy told them 
how the vigilant patriots of Boston had sent 
word to Adams and Hancock, who were in Lex- 
ington, of their suspicions that the British were 
preparing to march to Concord. And it was 
this timely notice that made the Committee of 
Safety make preparations to be in readiness to 
protect the military stores at Concord. 

** ^Twas Dr. Warren who sent the silversmith. 


OF BUNKER HILL 


209 

Paul Revere, across from Boston to Charles Town 
to ride his best and rouse all the citizens on Tues- 
day night,” explained Sammy. Twas about 
eleven o'clock at night when he started, and he 
was nearly captured, but he got to Lexington by 
midnight, and the militia were all ready to meet 
the English before two o'clock.” 

“Was Dr. Warren hurt?” questioned Mrs. 
Austin. 

“ No, he wasn't hurt, but a lock of his 
hair just over his right ear was shot away. 
I saw him when he rode through the town on 
his way back to Boston.” And Sammy's face 
brightened and glowed with the admiring en- 
thusiasm that Dr. Warren's courage always 
awoke in his boyish heart. 

But Sammy's news was not all good. While 
Milly's father and uncle were both unhurt, Mr. 
Everett, who had been the first one to answer 
Milly's “ Call to Arms,” was wounded ; and a 
young Charles Town lad about Sammy's own 
age had been killed, and forty-nine American 
soldiers had lost their lives. This news made 
them all very sober, in spite of the great victory 
won by the Americans. Sammy stayed that day 
and night, and listened to Molly's story of Milly's 


210 


A LITTLE MAID 


going out in the darkness to drum up thetown^s 
people with so many exclamations of surprise 
and delight that even Molly was satisfied. 

I guess your father will be proud when I tell 
him/^ he said, and all the Charles Town sol- 
diers will hear of it. You will be well praised, 
Milly.^^ 

I fear now for Charles Town’s safety,” said 
Mrs. Austin anxiously. The English batteries 
at Copp’s Hill would destroy the town.” 

But Sammy was confident that American sol- 
diers could protect their homes ; and when he 
rode down the avenue, turning to wave his cap 
to his friends, they all felt that he had brought 
them good tidings, and that very soon peace 
would be restored. 

We should do something to celebrate the 
first victory of our brave soldiers,” declared 
Grandmother Barclay. Now, children, what 
shall we do ? ” 

Couldn’t we have a bonfire to-night, grand- 
ma ? ” suggested Mary eagerly. “ There’s lots of 
old wood and stuff near the woods.” 

’Twill be the very thing, if your mother 
agrees, Mary,” said Grandmother Barclay. 
“ Run and ask her. She’s in her room.” 


OF BUNKER HILL 


21 I 


Mary was back in a few moments. Mother 
says we may, and that Christopher is to take one 
of the horses and draw all the old stumps and 
dead wood to the meadow ; and that we can help 
him build up the heap. And mother says that 
she^l ask our neighbors to come over at dusk 
and see it lit, and give a cheer for the brave sol- 
diers of Concord and Lexington.’^ 

This promised great sport for the children, and 
they were soon riding off in the big cart, behind 
one of the brown horses, and telling Christopher 
the great news from Concord. 

While Chris dragged out the big half-decayed 
stumps the children gathered up the fallen 
branches, and very soon the first load was ready 
to start for the meadow. They worked steadily 
until dinner-time, and the big pile of wood in 
the centre of the meadow promised to make a 
fine blaze. 

The neighbors were all eager to take part in 
the simple celebration of the first victory of 
Massachusetts soldiers, and in the afternoon a 
number of loads of wood were added to the bon- 
fire. 

I can hardly wait for night to come,’^ de- 
clared Molly as she and Millicent walked down 


212 


A LITTLE MAID 


just before supper for a last look at the tower- 
ing pile. Before they left the house Molly had 
whispered a request to her mother and grand- 
mother, and their smiling assent seemed to 
make her very happy. 

There’ll be another surprise to-night, Milly I 
You’ll see ! ” she announced as she came run- 
ning after her cousin. 

Milly laughed gaily. I can wait until the 
fire is lighted and not a minute after to find 
out,” she said. 

“ Oh, you’ll know by that time,” declared 
Molly. 

The neighbors began to arrive at the meadow 
by early twilight, and Molly and her cousins, 
with grandma, Mrs. Barclay and Millicent’s 
mother were there to welcome them. Molly 
kept very close to Millicent, who was now eager 
to know what the ‘‘ surprise” would be. She no 
longer feared any mischief or trouble from her 
cousin. 

The older women gathered around Grand- 
mother Barclay, and talked of the brave men 
of Concord and Lexington as well as of their 
own heroes. As the dusk of early twilight 
gathered the children became urgent for the 


OF BUNKER HILL 


213 

fire to be lighted ; and when they saw Chris- 
topher hurrying across the field with a flaming 
torch there was a delighted cheer. 

“ The ^ surprise ^ is almost here/^ Molly whis- 
pered to Milly, and Millicent began to wonder 
what her cousin^s plan could possibly be, for 
there was nothing surprising in Christopher 
bringing the torch. When he reached the wait- 
ing group Chris turned to Molly’s mother and 
asked : 

If you please, ma’am, who is to have the 
honor of lighting this fine heap of wood ? ” 

“ Give the torch to Miss Millicent, Chris- 
topher ; and keep close beside her until she has 
started the bonfire,” replied Mary’s mother, 
with a smiling nod toward Millicent. 

Millicent looked so surprised that the other 
children began to laugh, and she realized that 
this was Molly’s plan. 

Come, missy,” urged Christopher, who was 
carefully guarding the flame of the lighted 
torch ; and Milly stepped forward and took the 
flaming pitch-pine knot, and went toward the 
heaped-up mass of dry wood. The others 
watched her in silence, but as she knelt and 
held the torch until there was a quick blaze up 


A LITTLE MAID 


214 

the side of the heap, there was a murmur of 
voices, and when Millicent ran back to her 
mother^s side one of the boys threw his cap in 
the air and called out : Three cheers for Amer- 
ica I and every one cheered loudly. Then an 
elderly woman stepped out from a group and 
said : Now a cheer for the brave little drum- 
mer-girl, Millicent Austin,'^ and that too was 
given with a will. 

Millicent was very glad that it was too shad- 
owy for any one to see her. She wished that 
some one would suggest a cheer for the un- 
known messenger who had come rushing 
through the night to thunder at her uncle's 
door. 

The bright flames streamed up through the 
fragrant April air, and as they brightened the 
wide field, the party of neighbors, children and 
grown people, all joined hands in a big circle 
around the bonfire and, led by the same boy 
who had started the cheer, they sang the song 
that every American was singing in those days : 

Come join hand in hand, brave Americans all, 

And rouse your bold hearts at fair Liberty’s call ; 

No tyrannous acts shall suppress your just claim, 

Or stain with dishonor America’s name.” 





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OF BUNKER HILL 


215 

As the song finished there was a moment of 
silence, as they all stood watching the dying 
embers of the blaze. Then, suddenly, Milly 
found Molly standing in front of her holding 
out her drum, and Dicky close beside her, flute 
in hand. 

Play ^ Yankee Doodle ' I demanded Mary, 
handing her cousin the drumsticks. 

Without a word Milly beat out the gay meas- 
ure, and Dicky fluted his best. 

“ Face about and march toward the house,” 
called Molly ; and, led by Millicent and Dicky, 
the others fell in line and marched gaily off 
across the field, leaving Christopher to make 
sure that the big fire was really extinguished. 

At the foot of the terrace there was another 
cheer, Concord and Lexington ! ” and then 
Dedham Soldiers I ” After this the neighbors 
said good-night. It was after ten o^clock as the 
children went up the terrace steps. 

The children all slept late the next morning, 
and when they were eating their breakfast 
Grandmother Barclay came into the dining- 
room and said : 

Well, children ! What do you think I Your 
mothers say that school begins this very day.” 


2i6 


A LITTLE MAID 


“ But mother said she was going to teach me 
herself/^ said Molly. 

“ So she is. She is going to teach all four of 
you,” explained Madame Barclay. As soon as 
you finish breakfast you are all to go up attic.” 

Up attic ! ” came in a surprised chorus from 
the children. 

That is what your mothers told me to tell 
you,” replied their grandmother smilingly, and 
taking hold of her skirt on each side she made 
a graceful curtsy and went smilingly from the 
room. 

The children looked after her with admiring 
eyes. As they went up the attic stairs they 
could hear the sound of voices, and when they 
reached the big open chamber to the right of the 
stairway they looked about in amazement. 

The attic windows faced toward the orchard, 
and the morning sun was streaming into the 
room. Molly^s mother and Mrs. Austin had 
been busy for several days, without the chil- 
dren’s knowledge, in arranging the place for a 
schoolroom, and they now stood looking at the 
children as if asking if they liked it. 

There was a little round table near one of the 
open windows, and upon it rested a little work- 


OF BUNKER HILL 


217 

basket. Beside the table stood a little rocking- 
chair. On the other side of the table, in another 
small chair, was seated Caroline Rosalind. 

Near the other window stood a square solid 
bench. On one end of the bench were arranged 
a number of tools, and beside it was a pile of bits 
of wood. A short distance from this bench was 
a long low table, with books, slates, an ink-bottle 
and a number of quill pens. Two chairs, just 
the right size,^^ as Millicent afterward declared, 
stood near this table, and not far away was a 
comfortable rocking-chair and footstool. 

But I thought we were going to have les- 
sons?’^ said Molly, in a puzzled tone, looking 
about the pleasant sunny room, and sitting 
down at the table. Prue had already seated 
herself opposite Caroline Rosalind, and Dicky 
was examining the sturdy work-bench with 
great interest. Millicent sat down near Molly, 
and they both looked up at Mrs. Barclay ques- 
tioningly. 

Mary's mother clapped her hands. '' Look, 
Prudence ! What did I tell you ? They have 
all found their own places without our saying a 
word," she exclaimed in evident delight. 

“ Is this school ? " demanded Dicky, turning 


2i8 


A LITTLE MAID 


toward his mother, and holding a file in one 
hand and a small saw in the other. 

Yes,’^ answered Mrs. Austin smilingly. 

Your Aunt Ann is to be teacher to-day, and 
I am to be teacher to-morrow. I think your 
school will be a success, Ann,^’ she added, “ and 
now ril leave you to the opening exercises,^^ and 
she turned toward the stairs. 

“ You see, Prue,^' said Aunt Ann, going over 
to the little table, I noticed that Caroline 
Rosalind needed a new dress, so I thought you 
would like to make one for her. And here it is, 
all cut out and basted ; and your needle, thread 
and thimble are right in this little box,” and in 
a moment little Prue, feeling very happy and 
important, was being shown how to set the tiny 
stitches in the dolPs dress. 

Then Aunt Ann went to Dicky^s bench and 
began to tell him the names and uses of the 
tools. I want you to make me some good 
wooden pegs, Dicky,” she said, as he tried the 
sharp knife on a piece of well-seasoned pine 
wood, ^^and when they are just right. I’ll show 
you how to make use of them,” and Dicky be- 
gan to whittle happily, and Mrs. Barclay then 
turned toward her older pupils, but neither 


OF BUNKER HILL 


219 

Milly nor Molly noticed her. Both their heads 
were bent over an open book on the table in 
front of them. So Mrs. Barclay seated herself 
in the comfortable rocking-chair, and took up 
her knitting. 

In a moment Mary looked up. 

“ When are you going to begin school, 
mother?*^ she asked. 

Why, school has begun already, my dear,'’ 
her mother replied smilingly. 

There was a little chorus of laughter and 
exclamations from the children. 

Why, we're just having a good time I " de- 
clared Dicky, looking up from his whittling. 

That's what I mean for you to have every 
day," said his Aunt Ann. 

May passed, and early in June Captain Bar- 
clay came to visit his family, and brought mes- 
sages from Milly's father. Charles Town would 
not be safe for many a day, Mr. Austin wrote, 
and Milly began to think that perhaps she would 
never again see the dear stone house near the 
river, nor the tall slim spire of the church in 
the square. In a few days Captain Barclay re- 
turned to his regiment ; and the very next week 


220 


A LITTLE MAID 


came tidings that the Americans had begun to 
fortify Breed Hill, an elevation of land in 
Charles Town toward Boston from Bunker Hill. 

Grandma Barclay read the letter from Molly's 
father giving this news, and the children listened 
with wondering eyes. 

That means that the British will try to des- 
troy Charles Town," declared Mrs. Austin ; and 
Millicent thought that she had never before seen 
her mother look so unhappy. 

“ Molly, you and your cousins go out on the 
terrace," said Mrs. Barclay, and the children 
went quietly away. Molly put her arm around 
Milly as they left the room, while Dicky and 
Prue ran ahead and were soon frolicking about 
the garden with Blacky ; but the older girls 
realized that their fathers, and the home Milly 
so loved, was in danger, and for a few moments 
they stood quite still. 

I wish we'd stayed near father," said Milly 
in a whisper. 

Let's go down toward the road. Who knows 
but we may see a messenger coming with good 
news," suggested Molly hopefully ; and the girls 
walked down the elm-shaded avenue, and stood 
looking with eager eyes along the quiet country 


OF BUNKER HILL 


221 


road which led toward Boston ; but no speeding 
horseman could be seen, and they soon returned 
to the house. 

The next day, June 17, 1775, was one of the 
warmest days of that summer. Even the shaded 
rooms of the big Barclay house were too warm 
for comfort; and Dicky and Prue were content 
to keep out of the sun and play on the porch, 
while Milly and Molly stayed with their mothers 
in the cool sitting-room. 

A dreadful day for marching soldiers, said 
Grandma Barclay, as she bent over her sewing. 
The little household could not know that, at 
that very hour, the English and American sol- 
diers were engaged in deadly battle on the slopes 
of Bunker Hill ; that their friend Dr. Warren 
was in the ranks as a volunteer, that the town 
of Charles Town was in flames, set by a party of 
marines from the Somerset.^^ 

But the news came the next morning, and 
with it the sad tidings that Dr. Warren had been 
killed. Sammy Crafts was again the messenger, 
a tired, white-faced boy. 

“ I am to stay here a few days, if you will 
keep me,^^ he said, as he came slowly up the 
steps beside Mrs. Barclay. 


222 


A LITTLE MAID 


“ Indeed you may. You are as welcome as if it 
were your mother’s house,” declared Mrs. Barclay. 

Captain Barclay was unhurt, he told them ; 
but Mr. Austin was slightly wounded, and would 
come to Dedham in a day or two. And then 
Sammy, resting on the big couch in the sitting- 
room, with the family listening eagerly, told 
them of the terrible battle of Bunker Hill. He 
described the entrenchments on Breed Hill, and 
of the Americans throwing up breastworks on 
Bunker Hill, where they made their stand. 

“ Where were you, Sammy ? ” asked Milly. 

‘‘ I was in Cambridge until midday, then I 
went to our house to make sure that mother was 
all right. Father made me promise to stay 
there until he came,” said Sammy, ‘‘ and he got 
there, with your father, just after dark last 
night. He told us about Dr. Warren ; only he 
was General Warren that day. Father said ” — 
and Sammy’s voice faltered, but he went on — 
“ father said that when some one tried to keep 
General Warren in a safe place he wouldn’t 
listen ; and said that it was sweet and right to 
have the chance to die for one’s country.” As 
Sammy repeated these words he buried his face 
in the cushion and sobbed bitterly. 


OF BUNKER HILL 


223 

Milly felt the tears streaming down her 
cheeks, and Mrs. Austin and Grandma Barclay 
were crying. It was Mrs. Barclay who led 
Dicky and Prue out of the room, and persuaded 
Dicky to go to the stable with a message for 
Christopher. 

When she returned she called Milly and Molly 
and asked their help in preparing dinner ; and 
reminded Milly that very soon her father would 
be there to be taken care of and helped to re- 
cover from his wound. 

I wish I knew if Soldier Francis was in the 
battle. I hope he wasn’t,” said Milly ; and when 
Sammy, after a long rest, came out on the porch, 
she questioned him eagerly for news of the 
English soldier. 

Sammy shook his head. I don’t know. 
Many were killed, but not most of them, of 
course, because they took the hill at last. Maybe 
he’s safe,” he added hopefully. 

Could you hear the cannons ? ” asked Molly. 

Yes. The ‘ Falcon ’ and ' Lively ’ and the 
^ Somerset ’ were all pouring shot on the Ameri- 
can works, and so were the batteries at Copp’s 
Hill. Hear cannon I I guess we couldn’t hear 
anything else ! ” declared Sammy. “ Father said 


A LITTLE MAID 


224 

the American soldiers cheered like everything 
when General Warren came. He said the Brit- 
ish men were brave too, and followed General 
Howe straight up the hill, with the Americans 
firing as fast as they could.” 

Sammy had promptly assured Mrs. Austin of 
the safety of her home. The battle had not 
reached that part of the town, nor had the 
flames spread that far. 

'' The houses in the square were burning when 
I rode through Cambridge,” said Sammy. I 
guess you could see the smoke from here.” 

It was a week later before Mr. Austin reached 
Dedham. He had a week’s furlough on ac- 
count of his wounded arm, and on his arrival 
Sammy started back to his own home. 

You will be coming back to Charles Town 
soon, won’t you ? ” Sammy asked Mrs. Austin, 
as he said good-bye ; but Mr. Austin shook his 
head. 

Not until we have driven the British from 
Boston,” he answered. 

Well, that will be soon,” declared Sammy 
hopefully. 


CHAPTER XIX 


GOOD NEWS 

“ Mother, couldn^t I write a letter to Soldier 
Francis ? ” asked Milly, when her father^s leave 
of absence was over and he had returned to 
Cambridge, the headquarters of the American 
forces. 

Why, yes, Milly. I see no harm in your 
writing to Soldier Francis if you say nothing of 
this sad war,^' replied Mrs. Austin ; “ but I 
doubt if the letter will reach him.” 

But Milly was eager to write, and a few days 
later the letter was sent, and Milly was very 
hopeful that an answer would soon come. But 
weeks passed ; June and July were over, August 
came and went, and there was no word from 
Soldier Francis. Millicent began to be quite 
sure that her English friend had been killed in 
battle ; and she was more attached than ever to 
Blacky, and often thought of the friendly sol- 
dier who had been so ready to protect a little 
girl. 


225 


226 


A LITTLE MAID 


September came, and one morning Milly 
awoke to find her mother standing close beside 
the bed and heard her say : What day is this ? 
and as she leaned over and kissed her little 
daughter she said softly : Eleven years old ! 

“ Oh, I forgot all about it. My birthday ! 
exclaimed Millicent, jumping out of bed. 

Dicky and Prue and Molly are all up and 
dressed, and everybody is waiting to wish you a 
happy birthday/^ said her mother smilingly ; 
and it was not long before Milly was running 
down the stairs, while Molly, Dicky, Prue and 
Grandma Barclay called : “ Happy Birthday, 
Happy Birthday,^^ and her Aunt Ann led her 
to the dining-room. 

Near Milly’s plate on the breakfast table were 
a number of packages. There was a wonderful 
box with Milly carved on the cover. Dicky 
had made this box himself, and he was as de- 
lighted by Milly^s praise as she was by his re- 
membrance. There were some beautiful hand- 
kerchiefs from Aunt Ann, two bright silver 
shillings from her father and mother, and a 
package of barley sugar from Molly and Prue. 

Milly undid each gift with exclamations of 
pleasure. Then she looked them all over again. 


OF BUNKER HILL 


227 

a little anxiously, for there was no remembrance 
from dear Grandma Barclay ; and never before 
had Millicent had a birthday without such a 
gift. But grandma was smiling happily at her 
across the breakfast table, and Milly smiled 
back, for it was a beautiful thing to be eleven 
years old, she thought. 

When they had all finished grandma came 
to Millicent’s side and said, Come out on the 
terrace, dear child. I have something to show 
you.^^ 

Millicent wondered a little why the others 
were all smiling, and why her Cousin Molly 
seemed so greatly excited about something. As 
they reached the terrace Millicent saw Christo- 
pher standing at the foot of the steps holding 
one of the brown horses by the bridle. There 
was a side-saddle on the horse^s back, and Milly 
thought she had never seen Star’s ” brown 
coat so smooth and glossy. 

Christopher was smiling, and as he saw Milly 
he called out, '' Happy birthday, missy.” 

Grandma had kept close hold of Milly’s hand, 
and how led her down the steps. 

“ Give me the bridle, Chris,” she said, and j 
then she handed it to Millicent. 


228 


A LITTLE MAID 


“ This is your birthday present, dear Mil- 
licent,’^ she said smilingly. 

For a moment Millicent stared in amazement. 
She hardly understood what her grandmother 
meant. She looked first at the brown horse and 
then at her grandmother. 

Star ? Mine ? she said. 

Yes, Milly. Grandma has just told you,^^ 
exclaimed Molly delightedly. 

“ Oh, grandma I And the saddle ? asked 
Millicent. 

Yes. The horse and saddle are yours, and 
Christopher will give you your first riding lesson 
to-day,” said Madame Barclay. Ever since Sol- 
dier Francis brought the horses home I have 
planned to give you ‘ Star ^ for your birthday 
present ; and the saddle is one your mother used 
when she was a little girl.” 

It seemed to Millicent that no little girl ever 
had such a wonderful birthday present before. 
She hardly knew how to thank her grandmother, 
and when Christopher lifted her to the saddle, 
and led Star ” up and down the driveway, and 
then let her guide the horse herself she was as 
happy as it was possible to be. 

But another surprise was in store for her, for 


OF BUNKER HILL 


229 

Christopher had led out the other brown horse 
and that, too, carried a side-saddle, and now 
Molly was on the horse’s back, and the two little 
cousins rode down the drive together. 

This is my mother’s saddle,” explained 
Molly, and grandma says I can use * Hero ’ all 
I want to ; but he isn’t my horse as ' Star ’ is 
yours.” 

“ We’ll have a lot of good rides, won’t we, 
Molly ? ” said Milly, as the two cousins dis- 
mounted and saw Chris lead the horses away. 

Yes, and it’s splendid that * Star ’ is your 
very own,” responded Molly. 

Then the birthday dinner was spread on a 
round table in the orchard. There was the fra- 
grance of ripening fruit in the air, and a pleasant 
little murmur of industrious bees hovering about 
the late blooming flowers at the edge of the gar- 
den. As Millicent cut her birthday cake, and 
gave Molly the first piece, she thought that now 
she was beginning to really grow up.” Eleven 
seemed very much older than ten. She resolved 
to do her best to be more like Grandmother Bar- 
clay every day. 

As the autumn days grew shorter the attic ” 
school was moved to one of the pleasant sitting- 


A LITTLE MAID 


230 

rooms. Dicky was becoming an expert in the 
use of tools ; little Prue's neat stitches won her 
great praise, and Milly and Molly had learned to 
solve many difficult examples, to repeat a list of 
the English kings, and were familiar with the 
life and adventures of Christopher Columbus. 

Then, as Milly and Molly learned to ride, the 
two girls had many delightful canters along the 
pleasant country roads and lanes. With the 
coming of the cold weather there was sliding and 
skating, visits to the neighbors, and in the even- 
ings Milly and Dicky, with drum and flute, 
would entertain the others, or Madame Barclay 
and Mary sing the Broom Song.'^ The winter 
passed quickly, and when March came the Aus- 
tins realized with surprise that it was nearly 
a year since they left their Charles Town 
home. 

Lieutenant Austin had made but one visit to 
Dedham since Millicent^s birthday. He was in 
Cambridge with Washington's Army. Early in 
March he sent his family the good news that the 
Americans held Dorchester Heights, and that 
very soon, it was hoped, the British would leave 
Boston. And it was only a few days after the 
receipt of her father^s letter that the tidings 


OF BUNKER HILL 


231 

came that General Howe and his army had taken 
to their ships. 

And now Milly felt sure that she should never 
see Soldier Francis again. If he had not been 
killed in battle he had surely sailed away in one 
of the English vessels ; and, while she was now 
eagerly looking forward to returning to her 
Charles Town home, she often wished that her 
soldier friend might know how often she thought 
of him. 

Mrs. Austin was sure that Charles Town 
people would soon return and rebuild their 
homes ; and Dicky began to talk about Master 
Sparrow, and the playhouse in the willow tree. 

Milly did not say much about leaving Ded- 
ham, but Molly knew that her cousin’s thoughts 
were now centered on the old stone house near 
the river ; and one pleasant morning in early 
April when the girls were searching for May- 
flowers along the edge of a wood bordering on 
the highway, she exclaimed : 

Oh, Milly I Why do you want to go back 
to Charles Town ? ” 

Milly looked up with a little laugh. Why, 
it’s home. Isn’t that reason enough ? ” she an- 
swered. 


A LITTLE MAID 


232 

“ But most of the houses were burned down ; 
and the schoolhouse was burned and the 
churches. It’s a blackened ugly place; your 
father said so,” responded Molly. 

“ Well, our house wasn’t burned ; and Mrs. 
Crafts’ house and Bunker Hill are safe,” said 
Milly, laughingly ; '‘and father is going to build 
boats again ; he wrote mother so. You’ll like to 
go back, won’t you. Blacky ? ” and she patted the 
head of the little dog, who was never far away 
from his little mistress. 

Molly did not make any response, and when 
Milly glanced at her cousin she saw that Molly 
had been crying. 

" I don’t care if I am crying,” said Molly. 
" You will go off to Charles Town and not care 
at all about leaving me.” 

" We won’t want to leave you, Molly I You 
know we won’t. And perhaps your mother will 
let you come and visit us,” said Milly. " I heard 
her say that grandmother would soon be going 
back to Roxbury, and that grandma wanted you 
to go with her.” 

" Do you suppose you’ll go before summer?” 
asked Molly. 

But Millicent could not answer this question, 


OF BUNKER HILL 


233 

and the cousins began to talk of the flowers, and 
Millicent to practice the calls of the woodland 
birds. As they came out on the main road and 
started for home they looked at each other with 
startled eyes, for in the distance they heard the 
beat of a drum. 

''There isnT a place to hide,*' exclaimed 
Molly, " and it’s coming nearer and nearer." 

" We needn’t be afraid of a drum I ’’ declared 
Milly, and a moment later both the girls called 
out : " Oh I It’s Sammy Crafts," and ran eagerly 
to meet the tall boy, who came marching down 
the road from the Barclay house with Millicent’s 
drum swinging from his shoulders. 

" Thought the drum would find you," he said 
smilingly, as he came near. 

" Oh, Sammy Crafts ! And did my father come 
too ? " exclaimed Milly in a delighted voice. 

" No. But he is staying at our house ; and he 
has sent me to fetch you all back to Charles 
Town," replied Sammy. " He’s all right," he 
added quickly, " but he’s busy. You see, he is 
taking care of Soldier Francis." 

Milly and Molly were both too surprised to 
ask how such a thing could happen, but Sammy 
went on to explain that only yesterday the 


A LITTLE MAID 


234 

English soldier had made his way to the Austin 
house, and Lieutenant Austin had discovered 
him near the door, very weak and ill. 

He had been left behind by the English on 
account of his illness ; and, having no friends 
in Boston, had made his way to the only Ameri- 
can home where he dared hope for a welcome. 

He’s going to work with your father when 
he gets stronger,” said Sammy, and he’s going 
to be an American, too.” 

This was the best news that Millicent could 
have, and she was more eager than ever to start 
for home. She was sure now that her letter had 
reached Soldier Francis. 

Sammy declared that his mother was the 
bravest woman in America. She stayed right 
in our house, and didn’t know what was happen- 
ing to father and me for weeks. She took care 
of all the stock and we didn’t lose a thing,” 
he said proudly. 

Mrs. Austin was as eager to start for home as 
Milly, and it was decided to go the next day. 

Every one was up in good season the next 
morning, and the sun was just creeping over the 
tops of the distant woodlands when Christopher 
led Goldy ” from the stable. The little sorrel 


OF BUNKER HILL 


23s 

stood quietly while the trunk was strapped on 
behind the chaise, and bundles and baskets 
stowed under the broad seat. Mrs. Austin, 
Dicky and Prue were in the chaise, and now 
Christopher lifted Millicent to her seat on 
“ Star's " back. Sammy was mounted on a fine 
black horse, and Blacky was running from 
Molly's side to Milly, as if he really wished 
Molly to go with the others. 

** Good-bye, dear Blacky," she said. I shall 
never be afraid of dogs again ; at any rate, not 
of spaniels." 

The good-byes had all been said, with promises 
of all meeting again very soon. And now Mrs. 
Austin told Goldy that it was time to start, and 
off he went as if he realized that he was bound 
for home, as perhaps he did. 

Sammy looked at “ Star " admiringly as he 
and Milly rode side by side, keeping close to the 
chaise. 

“ It isn't every girl who has a fine horse like 
* Star,' " he said, “ and you can ride first rate." 

When they reached the hill where Mrs. Aus- 
tin had encountered the English soldiers a year 
ago, Mrs. Austin told Sammy of the officer's wish 
that her visit might be brief and pleasant." 


A LITTLE MAID 


236 

“ Let’s have lunch in the same place,” said 
Dick}^ ; there were lots of violets there last 
year.” So they turned in at the wood-road, and 
Sammy looked after the horses while Milly and 
her mother spread the contents of the lunch- 
basket on a smooth bank of green moss. Dicky 
and Prue were searching for violets, and found 
as many as they had in the previous April. 

Mother 1 I never knew you to laugh so 
much ! ” declared Millicent, as they finished 
lunch and made ready to continue their journey. 
“ Your eyes are all twinkly, and you act as if 
you were so happy you just bubbled over.” 

Mrs. Austin laughed gaily. “ That’s just it, 
my dear,” she answered. ‘‘Just think, our 
house is safe and sound, and we are going back 
to live in it. The English have left Boston ; 
and, best of all, your dear father is safe and 
well.” 

“ And don’t forget that Soldier Francis is go- 
ing to be an American,” added Millicent, in so 
serious a tone that Mrs. Austin and Sammy both 
laughed heartily ; and Dicky and Prue joined 
in the laughter, not because they were amused 
by their sister’s seriousness, but because it seemed 
just the day for laughter. 


OF BUNKER HILL 


237 

It was a very merry little cavalcade which 
drew rein before Mrs. Crafts’ door in the early 
afternoon. 

Mrs. Crafts came running out to welcome 
them. Your husband is at your house,” she 
said to Mrs. Austin, and I guess you’ll find 
everything pretty nearly as you left it.” 

Mrs. Austin paused only for the friendly word 
of greeting. 

‘‘ Sammy and his father and I will step over 
and see you to-morrow,” Mrs. Crafts called after 
them as they rode away. 

Milly had ridden all the way on “ Star,” and 
had not thought of being tired. 

‘^Everything looks just the same, doesn’t it, 
mother ? ” Milly said as they drove along the 
peaceful road where, less than a year ago, the 
thunder and noise of battle had been heard. 

“ Just the same,” replied her mother grate- 
fully. 

“ There comes father ! ” called Dicky as they 
came under the shade of the big willow tree, 
and Mr. Austin came running down to open 
the gate, and joyfully welcome them home 
again. 

It was Blacky who ran gaily ahead of all 


A LITTLE MAID 


238 

the family through the open kitchen door, and 
was the first to greet Soldier Francis ; but Milly 
was close behind him, and Mrs. Austin hastened 
in to tell the big Englishman how glad she was 
to find him there. Francis had little to say, but 
Mr. Austin had convinced him that the neigh- 
bors would all be friendly, and that there was 
work and a home for him. He had received 
Milly’s letter, and it was that which had encour- 
aged him to come to the Austin home. 

This is the happiest day I declared Milly as 
they all gathered around the supper-table. 

Happier than birthdays ? asked her father 
smilingly. 

“ Yes, indeed I For you are here, and Soldier 
Francis is here,^^ replied Milly. 

The big soldier smiled, but his face had flushed 
a little. 

‘‘ Would you mind saying ‘ Francis ^ ? I^m 
no longer a soldier,^^ he said. 

I’ll remember,” promised Milly. 

Dicky and Prue searched eagerly for many 
days for some trace of Master Sparrow, and often 
came running to the house saying they were 
sure that they had heard him singing. 

The story of Milly’s part in arousing the 


OF BUNKER HILL 


239 

minutemen of Dedham was often told among 
her friends and neighbors, and whenever the 
little drummer girl of Charles Town visited 
her Cousin Molly she was warmly welcomed, and 
often played the drum to entertain the brave 
soldiers who had so promptly marched to defend 
their country in response to that “ Call to Arms 
that Milly had so bravely sounded as she hur- 
ried along the shadowy road on the night before 
the Battle of Lexington. 


The Stories in this Series are : 

A LITTLE MAID OF PROVINCE TOWN 
A LITTLE MAID OF MASSACHUSETTS COLONY 
A LITTLE MAID OF NARRAGANSETT BAY 
A LITTLE MAID OF BUNKER HILL 


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